Class 12 Chemistry simulations · Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Strength of carboxylic acids

Compare the pKₐ of carboxylic acids and see how electron-withdrawing groups make them stronger.

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What to notice

Each electron-withdrawing Cl stabilises the carboxylate ion, so Cl₃CCOOH is far stronger than CH₃COOH.

Key relation

pKₐ = −log Kₐ ; smaller pKₐ = stronger acid

Try this

Put the chloroacetic acids in order of strength.

What you can change

• Acid: 1 to 7

More in Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

• Nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group

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