Question 12.53 (Sixth Edition)

[Steve Magana 2I]

Question: Suggest an explanation for the different strengths of (a) acetic acid and trichloroacetic acid; (b) acetic acid and formic acid.

Can someone explain the answers for both parts please? Thank you!

[Chem_Mod]

Trifluoroacetic acid is stronger because the negative charge that arises from deprotonation is better stabilized by the inductive effect from the three fluorines. Formic acid is the stronger acid in the second pair because hydrogen is less electron donating than a methyl group, so the negative charge is better stabilized in this case.