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- Aug 2, 2012
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I understand that electron withdrawing groups tend to make a compound more acidic, but I'm confused when it comes to elements within the same group. Greater electronegativity helps stabilize the negative charge on the resulting anion, but larger molecules are better able to distribute the negative charge.
For example, Which of the following alkoxides is the most stable?
a. Cl3CCH2O-
b. F3CCH2O-
c. (CH3)3CCH2O-
d. CH3CH2O-
The correct answer is b owning to fluorine's electronegativity. However, chlorine is more massive than fluorine. So, what's the deal here?
For example, Which of the following alkoxides is the most stable?
a. Cl3CCH2O-
b. F3CCH2O-
c. (CH3)3CCH2O-
d. CH3CH2O-
The correct answer is b owning to fluorine's electronegativity. However, chlorine is more massive than fluorine. So, what's the deal here?