Which of the following acids would be expected to have the smallest value for pK_a? A)2,3-Dimethylhexanoic acid B)3,3-Diiodopentanoic acid C)3-Iodo-4-bromopentanoic acid D)3-Chloro-4-bromohexanoic acid E)2-Fluoro-4-bromopentanoic acid

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of electronegative atoms like fluorine increases the acidity of a carboxylic acid by stabilizing the conjugate base through inductive effects. Fluorine is the most electronegative element, making 2-Fluoro-4-bromopentanoic acid the strongest acid among the options, thus having the smallest pKa value.

Which of the Following Acids Would Be Expected to Have