Correct order of the following acids in order of their increasing acidic strength is

(A) $CCl_3COOH$
(B) $ClCH_2COOH$
(C) $CH_3COOH$
(D) $CHCl_2COOH$

Choose the correct answer from the options given below: Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(C), (B), (D), (A)

The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (B), (D), (A)

Acidic strength of carboxylic acids increases with the electron-withdrawing (–I) effect of substituents on the α-carbon. More chlorine atoms → stronger −I effect → greater stabilization of the conjugate base → stronger acid.

Given acids:

• (C) CH₃COOH (no Cl) → weakest
• (B) ClCH₂COOH (one Cl)
• (D) CHCl₂COOH (two Cl)
• (A) CCl₃COOH (three Cl) → strongest

Increasing order of acidic strength: CH₃COOH < ClCH₂COOH < CHCl₂COOH < CCl₃COOH

 that is  (C), (B), (D), (A)