Chemistry: Molecular Approach (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134112830
ISBN 13: 978-0-13411-283-1

Chapter 16 - Section 16.10 - Acid Strength and Molecular Structure - Conceptual Connection - Page 763: 16.9

Answer

Proton in (a) is more acidic.

Work Step by Step

The additional oxygen is electronegative, and it draws electron density from the carbon, which draws more electron density away from the proton in red, increasing its acidity. The same does not happen to (b) because it does not have an additional oxygen atom.
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