JEE Main Chemistry question

The correct order of decreasing acid strength of trichloroacetic acid (A), trifluoroacetic acid (B), acetic acid (C) and formic acid (D) is:

(A)A > B > C > D
(B)A > C > B > D
(C)B > A > D > CCorrect
(D)B > D > C > A

Answer: (C)

Solution

By known pKa values (CF₃COOH ≈ 0.23, CCl₃COOH ≈ 0.66, HCOOH ≈ 3.75, CH₃COOH ≈ 4.76): fluorine's stronger inductive electron-withdrawal makes trifluoroacetic acid (B) a stronger acid

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Question ID VK-149956