In which of the following sequences are the compounds listed in order of decreasing acidity? A)PhCOOH H₂O PhOH PhCH₂OH PhH B)PhCOOH PhOH H₂O PhCH₂OH PhH C)PhH H₂O PhOH PhCH₂OH PhCOOH D)PhOH H₂O PhCOOH PhCH₂OH PhH E)PhCOOH H₂O PhOH PhH PhCH₂OH

Question

In which of the following sequences are the compounds listed in order of decreasing acidity? A)PhCOOH > H₂O > PhOH > PhCH₂OH > PhH B)PhCOOH > PhOH > H₂O > PhCH₂OH > PhH C)PhH > H₂O > PhOH > PhCH₂OH > PhCOOH D)PhOH > H₂O > PhCOOH > PhCH₂OH > PhH E)PhCOOH > H₂O > PhOH > PhH > PhCH₂OH

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In general, carboxylic acids are more acidic than phenols, which are more acidic than alcohols. Within carboxylic acids, the more electron-withdrawing groups attached to the carboxyl group, the more acidic the compound. Thus, the correct order of decreasing acidity is: PhCOOH > PhOH > PhCH₂OH > PhH > H₂O Choice B lists the compounds in this order, while the other choices have at least one compound listed out of order.

In Which of the Following Sequences Are the Compounds Listed