JEE Main Chemistry question

Arrange the following carboxylic acids in order of decreasing acidity: Oxalic acid (I), Malonic acid (II), Succinic acid (III).

(A)I > II > IIICorrect
(B)III > II > I
(C)II > I > III
(D)II > III > I

Answer: (A)

Solution

Among homologous dicarboxylic acids, acidity (of the first ionization) decreases as the two carboxyl groups become further apart, since the inductive electron-withdrawal of one –COOH on the other

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Question ID VK-149450