Formaldehyde acidity Question

[88888888]

Why does formaldehyde have a pka so low and why is it acidic?

Does it have to do with how formaldehyde has to be in liquid h20 for acid/base?

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[brood910]

Resonance stabilization + less alkyl groups = less electron donating = stronger acid.

 

[88888888]

So more electrophilic means stronger acid?

 

[brood910]

So more electrophilic means stronger acid?

Electrophilic = electron-loving.
Lewis acid = electron acceptor. So, technically, yes.