Place the carboxylic acids shown here in order of increasing acidity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acid acidity is determined by the stability of the resulting carboxylate ion after losing a proton. The stability of the carboxylate ion is influenced by electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups attached to the carbon atom. Among the given compounds, compound D has two NO2 groups attached to the carbon atom which makes the resulting carboxylate ion more stable, leading to the highest acidity. Compound B has one NO2 group making it more acidic than compound A which has an alkyl group. Finally, compound C has an electron-donating methoxy group which destabilizes the carboxylate ion and makes it the least acidic. Therefore, the correct order of increasing acidity is D < B < A < C.

Place the Carboxylic Acids Shown Here in Order of Increasing