Saved Bookmarks
| 1. |
pK_(a) of chloroacetic acid is lower than pK_(a) of acetic acid. Explain. |
|
Answer» Solution :`pK_(a)` of chloroacetic acid is lower than `pK_(a)` of acetic acid. This MEANS, chloroacetic acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid. This may be explained on the basis of the following two reasons: (i) DUE to -I-effect of Cl atom, the electron density in the O-H bond in chloroacetic acid is much lower than due to +I-effect of `CH_(3)` GROUP in acetic acid. as a result, O-H bond in chloroacetic acid is much weaker than in acetic acid and hence loses a proton more easily acid.  (ii) Due to -I-effect of Cl, dispersal of the -ve charge occurs in chloroacetate ion but due to +I-effect of `CH_(3)` group, intensification of -ve charge occurs in acetate ion. in other words, chloroacetate ion is much more stable than acetate ion. |
|