Which of the following carboxylic acids undergoes the most rapid thermal decarboxylation reaction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Carboxylic acids with more stable carboxylate anions undergo slower decarboxylation reactions because the process involves the formation of the unstable carbanion intermediate. Out of the given options, 3 has a more stable carboxylate ion due to the presence of adjacent electron-withdrawing atoms (chlorine atoms), which increases the polarity of the carbon-oxygen bond and stabilizes the negative charge on the oxygen atom. Hence, 3 undergoes the slowest decarboxylation reaction, making it the most rapid.

Which of the Following Carboxylic Acids Undergoes the Most Rapid