Answer to Question #192014 in Organic Chemistry for akia

Question

Which of the following is the strongest acid?

A) butanoic acid

B) 2-methyl-propanoic acid

C) 2-fluoro-butanoic acid

D) 4-chloro-butanoic acid

Answer 1

2-fluorobutanoic acid is the strongest due to the strong -I effect of a very electronegative fluorine atom. Moreover, fluorine is in the 2nd position (close to the carboxylic acid group), which increases the acidity.

Answer: C