Question

Which electron displacement effect explains the following correct orders of acidity of the carboxylic acids?

\[\ce{CH3CH2COOH > (CH3)2CHCOOH > (CH3)3C.COOH}\]

Answer 1

\[\ce{CH3CH2COOH > (CH3)2CHCOOH > (CH3)3C.COOH}\]

The order of acidity can be explained on the basis of the inductive effect (+I effect). As the number of alkyl groups increases, the +I effect also increases. With the increase in the +I effect, the basic strength also increases accordingly.