The "Ortho Effect" (Steric Inhibition of Resonance - SIR) in substituted benzoic acids generally res — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

A bulky ortho substituent twists the $-COOH$ group out of the plane of the benzene ring. This breaks the electron-donating $+M$ resonance from the ring into the carboxyl group, drastically stabilizing the resulting carboxylate anion and increasing acidity.