Question
Formic acid is stronger than acetic acid. Explain.
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Answer
In acetic acid, the methyl group is an electron-donating group. The acetate ion formed gets destabilized due to the electron releasing effect of methyl group ( $+1$ effect) which is higher than that of H-atom in the corresponding formic acid. As a result, acetic acid dissociates to a lesser extent. Thus decreasing the acidity of acetic acid.
$CH _3- COOH + H _2 O \rightleftharpoons CH _3- COO ^{-}+ H _3 O ^{+}$
Formic acid having lower $pK_a$ value than acetic acid. Hence, formic acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid.
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