Q 12.12 Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their property as indicated:
(iii) Benzoic acid, 4-Nitrobenzoic acid, 3,4-Dinitrobenzoic acid, 4-Methoxybenzoic acid (acid strength)
Increasing order of acidic strength-
4-methoxybenzoic acid < Benzoic acid < 4-Nitrobenzoic acid < 3,4-Dinitrobenzoic acid
As we know, electron withdrawing groups increase the strength of the acid and electron donating group decreases the strength of acids. Therefore, 4-methoxybenzoic acid is the weakest acid among them and 3,4-Dinitrobenzoic acid is the strongest due to the presence of 2 electron withdrawing groups and then 4-Nitrobenzoic acid.