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MCQMediumJEE 2026Electronic Effects (Inductive, Resonance, Hyperconjugation)

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

The correct order of acidic strength of the major products formed in the given reactions is:

Four organic reaction sequences labeled A, B, C, and D producing products from aniline, propanal, methane, and benzylmagnesium bromide respectively, with reagents shown over arrows for diazotization, Tollens oxidation, oxidation, and carboxylation.
  • A

    C > B > A > D

  • B

    C > B > A > D

  • C

    A > D > C > B

  • D

    A > D > B > C

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The major products of the four reactions are to be compared in order of acidic strength.

Find: The correct decreasing order of acidity.

Step 1: Identify the products from the reaction scheme shown in the image.

  • A: benzoic acid, C6H5COOH\mathrm{C_6H_5COOH}
  • B: propanoic acid, CH3CH2COOH\mathrm{CH_3CH_2COOH}
  • C: carbonic acid, H2CO3\mathrm{H_2CO_3}
  • D: phenylacetic acid, C6H5CH2COOH\mathrm{C_6H_5CH_2COOH}

Step 2: Use the stability of the conjugate base to compare acidity.

Stronger acids form more stable conjugate bases. Resonance, electronegativity, and inductive effects control this stability.

According to the extracted solution:

  • C (H2CO3)\mathrm{(H_2CO_3)} is strongest among the given acids.
  • B (CH3CH2COOH)\mathrm{(CH_3CH_2COOH)} is stronger than the aromatic acids.
  • A (C6H5COOH)\mathrm{(C_6H_5COOH)} is weaker than B.
  • D (C6H5CH2COOH)\mathrm{(C_6H_5CH_2COOH)} is the weakest because the CH2\mathrm{CH_2} group reduces the electron-withdrawing influence of the phenyl group.

Therefore, the order of acidic strength is C > B > A > D. Hence, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all carboxylic acids have nearly the same acidity. This is wrong because substituents and conjugate-base stabilization change acidity significantly. Always compare inductive and resonance effects before ordering acids.

  • Treating the phenyl group in phenylacetic acid as if it directly increases acidity like in benzoic acid. This is wrong because the intervening CH2\mathrm{CH_2} group reduces that effect. Check whether the aromatic ring is directly attached to the COOH\mathrm{COOH} group.

  • Comparing the reactants instead of the major products formed after reaction completion. This is wrong because the question asks about the acidic strength of the products. First identify A, B, C, and D, then compare them.

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