Which of the following compounds possess an overall thermodynamic acidic strength greater than that — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Formic acid is stronger than benzoic acid due to the destabilizing $+R$ effect of the phenyl ring in the latter. Salicylic acid is exceptionally strong due to stabilization of the conjugate base via intramolecular hydrogen bonding (ortho-effect). Picric acid is highly acidic ($pKa \approx 0.71$) due to three strong $-M$ and $-I$ nitro groups. p-Anisic acid is weaker due to the electron-donating $+M$ effect of the methoxy group.