Which of the following groups exhibits the strongest (electron donating) effect when attached to an — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Anions repel electrons violently, making them far stronger $+I$ donors than neutral alkyl groups. Between the anions, the alkoxide oxygen ($-O^-$) holds its charge loosely, whereas the carboxylate ($-COO^-$) delocalizes its charge via resonance, making $-O^-$ a stronger donor.