Question

Which one of the given compounds is a stronger acid and why?

$$\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{FCH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{COOH}\mathrm{or}\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_3\mathrm{CHFCH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$$

Answer 1

3-fluorobutanoicacid $$\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_3\mathrm{CHFCH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$$ is stronger than 4-fluorobutanoic acid $$\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{FCH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{CH}{\phantom{A}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$$ due to the distance; as in the inductive effect, as distance increases, the strength decreases.