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
(A) Acetic acid
(B) fluoroacetic acid
(C) 4-Nitrobenzoic acid
(D) 4-Methyl Benzoic acid is
Options
- A(A)
- B(B)
- C(C)
- 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 (), the highly electronegative fluorine atom exerts a strong -I effect from the adjacent -carbon, highly stabilizing the conjugate base. Its is approximately .
In 4-nitrobenzoic acid, the group exerts both -I and -R effects, but it is located farther away on the benzene ring. Its is approximately .
Acetic acid () and 4-methylbenzoic acid () have electron-donating groups (+I and hyperconjugation), which decrease acid strength.
Comparing the values, fluoroacetic acid has the lowest and is therefore the strongest acid among the given options.
Answer: (B)
In fluoroacetic acid (), the highly electronegative fluorine atom exerts a strong -I effect from the adjacent -carbon, highly stabilizing the conjugate base. Its is approximately .
In 4-nitrobenzoic acid, the group exerts both -I and -R effects, but it is located farther away on the benzene ring. Its is approximately .
Acetic acid () and 4-methylbenzoic acid () have electron-donating groups (+I and hyperconjugation), which decrease acid strength.
Comparing the values, fluoroacetic acid has the lowest and is therefore the strongest acid among the given options.
Answer: (B)