Chapter 6, Problem 6.61P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A more important factor in determining inductive effects is to be explained based on the given pKa values.

Concept introduction:

The acidity of a compound is governed by both – the functional group on which the acidic proton is found and nearby structural features, such as the presence of electronegative substituents or double bonds. The presence of electronegative substituents near the reaction center imposes an inductive effect. Inductive effect is the distortion of electron density along covalent bonds by electronegative atoms. The electronegative atoms like halogens withdraw electron density through the single bonds and can stabilize the nearby negative charge. Electron withdrawing substituents can increase the acidity of a nearby atom, which increases with electronegativity and decreases with increasing distance to the atom. For halogens, electronegativity decreases down the group.