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CHM 102 Practice Questions Objective Question
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Question

The greater acidity of carboxylic acids compared to alcohols arises primarily from :
Options
A the electron-donating effect of the hydroxyl group
B the electron-withdrawing effect of the carboxyl oxygen
C the acidity of α-hydrogens of carboxylic acids
D the resonance stability associated with the carboxylate ion
Correct Answer
Correct Answer

Option D is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

Carboxylic acids are more acidic than alcohols because the carboxylate ion (RCOO-) is stabilized by resonance, which delocalizes the negative charge over both oxygen atoms. Alcohols (RO-) have no such resonance stabilization.

Hint

What stabilizes the conjugate base of carboxylic acids?

Question Info

Course: CHM 102
Topic: Practice Questions
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 1403 of 1999
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