Which one of the following alcohols is most acidic?
A) I
B) II
C) III
D) IV

Question

Which one of the following alcohols is most acidic? 
A) I 
B) II 
C) III 
D) IV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The acidity of an alcohol depends on the stability of the conjugate base that forms after the loss of a proton. In this case, the conjugate base of alcohol I (tert-butanol) is stabilized by hyperconjugation due to the presence of three methyl groups attached to the carbon atom bearing the negative charge. This increases the electron density around the negative charge, making it more stable and hence more acidic compared to the other alcohols.

Which One of the Following Alcohols Is Most Acidic