Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Question:

Which of the following has the highest pKa value?

Options:

Bromoacetic acid

Chloroacetic acid

Fluoroacetic acid

Iodoacetic acid

Correct Answer:

Iodoacetic acid

Explanation:

Higher the electronegativity of a halogen, greater will be its electron withdrawing inductive effect (-I effect), and stronger will be the acid. Since electronegativity of halogens decrease in the order F > Cl > Br > I, iodoacetic acid will be the weakest acid and hence will have the highest pKa value.