Answer to Question #109732 in Organic Chemistry for kylie

Question

Define the concept of the inductive effect. 2-Chloroacetic acid is more acidic than acetic acid. Why?

Answer 1

The inductive effect is the distance-dependent phenomenon by which the charge of a chemical bond affects orientation on adjacent bonds in a molecule, producing a permanent state of polarization. The halogen atoms in alkyl halide are electron withdrawing (-I-effect) and alkyl groups are electron donating (+I-effect).

Electron withdrawing groups increase the acidity of a compound and electron donating group decrease the acidity of a compound. Electron withdrawing groups increase the acidity of a compound and electron donating groups decrease the acidity of a compound. Halogen - electron withdrawing group, so chloroacetic acid is more acidic than acetic acid, which contains electron donating substituent (methyl).