Course Reader Example on Pg. 154

[104785906]

Professor Lavelle explained why CCl3COOH is a stronger acid than CH3COOH. If anyone could just briefly explain this again please. I know that he mentioned the resonance and polarity of one of them accounts for this but I honestly spent half my time in lecture blowing my nose or holding in a sneeze :/

Thanks!

[Chem_Mod]

As I explained in class, :-) the electron withdrawing Cl atoms stabilize the oxygen negative charge.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Paul Wong1B]

As Dr. Lavelle stated, the negative charge of the oxygen is stabilized more with the chlorine atoms in the compound because chlorine is a very electronegative atom.