Quantrex Quantrex AcademyJEE · NEET · NDA PYQs with solutions Open app
MHT CET 202622 AprilEvening Shift
Exam
MHT CET
Year
2026
Date
22 April
Shift
Evening Shift
Subject
Chemistry
Chapter
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

MHT CET 2026 · 22 April · Evening Shift · Chemistry · Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Which of the following acid has the highest acid strength? (A)...

Which of the following acid has the highest acid strength?
(A) Acetic acid
(B) fluoroacetic acid
(C) 4-Nitrobenzoic acid
(D) 4-Methyl Benzoic acid is

Options

  1. A(A)
  2. B(B)
  3. C(C)
  4. D(D)

Correct answer

B. (B)

Step-by-step solution

Acid strength is directly proportional to the stability of the conjugate base, which increases with the presence of electron-withdrawing groups (-I, -R effects).

In fluoroacetic acid (F−CH2−COOHF-CH_2-COOH), the highly electronegative fluorine atom exerts a strong -I effect from the adjacent α\alpha-carbon, highly stabilizing the conjugate base. Its pKapK_a is approximately 2.592.59.

In 4-nitrobenzoic acid, the −NO2-NO_2 group exerts both -I and -R effects, but it is located farther away on the benzene ring. Its pKapK_a is approximately 3.413.41.

Acetic acid (pKa≈4.76pK_a \approx 4.76) and 4-methylbenzoic acid (pKa≈4.34pK_a \approx 4.34) have electron-donating groups (+I and hyperconjugation), which decrease acid strength.

Comparing the pKapK_a values, fluoroacetic acid has the lowest pKapK_a and is therefore the strongest acid among the given options.

Answer: (B)
Practice Carboxylic Acid Derivatives on Quantrex Academy →

More from Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Which of the following acids is tricarboxylic acid? MHT CET Medical 2026Identify the process of making soap by the hydrolysis of fats and oils. MHT CET Medical 2026Identify the trend of solubility of carboxylic acid in water. MHT CET Medical 2026Identify the product of acid hydrolysis of propane nitrile. MHT CET Medical 2026Which of the following acid does NOT contain -COOH group? MHT CET Medical 2026What is the number of - COOH groups in a citric acid molecule? MHT CET Medical 2026The order of strength of carboxylic acid is Find the correct order. MHT CET Medical 2026Identify the organic compound having highest boiling point from following. MHT CET Medical 2026 Full Carboxylic Acid Derivatives list All MHT CET Medical PYQs