Rank the following compounds in order of increasing acidity, putting the least acidic first. $$\begin{array} { c c c c }
\mathrm { CH } _ { 3 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { FCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { ClCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { BrCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } \
\text { I } & \text { II } & \text { III } & \text { IV }
\end{array}$$

Question

Rank the following compounds in order of increasing acidity, putting the least acidic first. $$\begin{array} { c c c c } 
\mathrm { CH } _ { 3 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { FCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { ClCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } & \mathrm { BrCH } _ { 2 } \mathrm { COOH } \
\text { I } & \text { II } & \text { III } & \text { IV }
\end{array}$$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The acidity of a carboxylic acid increases with the electronegativity of the substituent on the alpha carbon. The electronegativity of the halogens increases in the order F < Cl < Br. Therefore, the acidity of the compounds increases in the order I < III < IV < II.

Rank the Following Compounds in Order of Increasing Acidity, Putting