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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3g2195

In the gas phase, tert-butyl alcohol is a stronger acid than methanol. This is best explained by

  1. Athe effect of the three methyl groups, which stabilises the anion
  2. Bstabilisation of the tert-butoxide ion by the polarisability of the larger alkyl group
  3. Cstronger hydrogen bonding of tert-butoxide with solvent
  4. Dthe lower molar mass of methanol

Answer: B

There is no solvent in the gas phase, so solvation cannot play a role. The large, polarisable tert-butyl group can disperse the negative charge of the alkoxide through induced dipoles, which stabilises it. The effect would destabilise the anion and cannot explain the order.
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