MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / General Organic Chemistry I: Electronic Effects / Inductive effect
JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3g1018

Assertion: 3-Chloropropanoic acid is a weaker acid than 2-chloropropanoic acid. Reason: The -I effect of chlorine decreases with increasing distance from the carboxyl group.

  1. ABoth the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
  2. BBoth the assertion and the reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion
  3. CThe assertion is true but the reason is false
  4. DThe assertion is false but the reason is true

Answer: A

In 2-chloropropanoic acid Cl is on the alpha carbon, in 3-chloropropanoic acid it is on the beta carbon. The -I effect decays with each intervening bond, so the carboxylate of the 3-chloro acid is stabilised less and the acid is weaker. The reason therefore explains the assertion.
Practice General Organic Chemistry I: Electronic Effects More on Inductive effect
Previous questionNext question

More questions on Inductive effect