Question

Rank the following carboxylic acids by acid strength, with the strongest at the top and the weakest at the bottom. It may help to draw each Lewis structure. Drag and drop options into correct order.For keyboard navigation...SHOW MORE Press space or enter to grab A. CF3CO2H B. CHF2CO2HC. CH2FCO2H D. CH3CO2H

Answer 1

Answer:

$CF_3CO_2H> CHF_2CO_2H>CH_2FCO_2H>CH_3CO_2H$

Explanation:

Florine has the highest electronegativity and it thus pulls the element of $OH^-$ groups in the COOH group towards itself, making it relatively easy to loose the proton of the carboxyl group.

       F     O

       ↑     ||

 F← C ← C ← O - H             ,  Here three Florine withdraw

       ↓

       F

        F     O

       ↑     ||

 F← C ← C - O  H             ,  Here two Florine withdraw

       ↓

       H

        F   O

        |     ||

 H - C - C - OH             ,  Here one Florine withdraw

       ↓

       H

       H   O

        |     ||

 H - C - C - OH             ,  Here no Florine withdraw

        |

       H