NEETChemistryAldehydes and Ketones
Why are carboxylic acids more acidic than alcohols or phenols although all of them have a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom (—O—H)?
Options
- ACarboxylic acids have a larger atomic radius, leading to stronger hydrogen bonding.
- BCarboxylic acids contain a carbonyl group, making them more susceptible to nucleophilic attack.
- CThe conjugate base of carboxylic acid, a carboxylate ion, is stabilized by two equivalent resonance structures
- DAlcohols and phenols have a more stable conjugate base, reducing their acidity.
Correct answer
C. The conjugate base of carboxylic acid, a carboxylate ion, is stabilized by two equivalent resonance structures
Step-by-step solution
Correct Option is : (C) The conjugate base of carboxylic acid, a carboxylate ion, is stabilized by two equivalent resonance structures in which the negative charge is at the more electronegative oxygen atom . The conjugate base of phenoxide ion, has non-equivalent resonance