Which of the following alkoxide anions is exceptionally stabilized by the effect? — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The stability of the alkoxide anion is directly proportional to the electron-withdrawing ($-I$) power of the substituents. Fluorine is the most electronegative halogen, so the $-CF_3$ group exerts the strongest $-I$ pull, maximally dispersing the negative charge on the oxygen.