[email protected]
India's First Online IIT-JEE & NEET Coaching Platform - Trusted Since 2006
+91-87964 74404
Question icon
12 grade chemistry others

The relative acidic strengths of benzoic acid, o-toluic acid and p-toluic acid in decreasing order can be given as:

  • (A) p-toluic acid > o-toluic acid > benzoic acid
  • (B) o-toluic acid > p-toluic acid > benzoic acid
  • (C) p-toluic acid > benzoic acid > o-toluic acid
  • (D) o-toluic acid > benzoic acid > p-toluic acid

Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team

Askiitians Tutor Team

ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To determine the relative acidic strengths of benzoic acid, o-toluic acid, and p-toluic acid, we need to consider the effects of the methyl group (-CH₃) on the carboxylic acid group (-COOH). The position of the methyl group influences acidity due to its electron-donating effects.

Acidity Influences

In general, electron-donating groups decrease acidity because they destabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base. Here’s how each compound compares:

  • Benzoic Acid: No methyl group, serves as a baseline.
  • o-Toluic Acid: The methyl group is ortho to the carboxylic acid, which can create steric hindrance but also has some resonance stabilization.
  • p-Toluic Acid: The methyl group is para to the carboxylic acid, which allows for resonance stabilization without steric hindrance.

Relative Acidity Order

Considering these factors, the order of acidity from strongest to weakest is:

  • p-Toluic Acid
  • o-Toluic Acid
  • Benzoic Acid

Thus, the correct answer is (C) p-toluic acid > benzoic acid > o-toluic acid.


question mark

is Pradeep Chemistry+Ncert sufficient for all of the theory of Jee Mains Chemistry?


Hi, I’m a self-study JEE 2027 aspirant with a large 11th backlog. Since I don’t think 6–8 hour one-shots are sufficient to cover the full theory + breadth of problem types of a JEE chapter, I’ve shifted from lecture-based preparation to book-based self-study.


I have a problem with using NCERT as my primary chemistry source. In my experience, it is concise and information-heavy, but often lacks detailed explanations, systematic organisation of concepts, and categorisation of problem types. This seems especially problematic for Physical and Organic Chemistry, where I feel that simply reading NCERT may not give enough depth or problem-solving preparation.


So I’m considering this approach:


Pradeep Chemistry → complete the chapter thoroughly from Pradeep → then read NCERT for that chapter → solve JEE Main PYQs/problems.


My main question is:


Is Pradeep + NCERT sufficient as the complete theory source for JEE Main-level Chemistry?


In other words, after thoroughly completing a chapter from Pradeep and then NCERT, can I consider the theory part of that chapter complete for JEE Main, with only PYQs/problem practice remaining?


I’m asking specifically about JEE Main level, not Advanced.


Also, if Pradeep is not sufficient, what specific gap does it leave, and what would you recommend as a better book-based alternative for self-study?

Grade 1212 grade chemistry others

Last Activity: 10 Days ago