JEE Main 2026 — Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Question with Solution
JEE Main 2026 (28 January Shift 2)
Question
The correct order of acidic strength of the major products formed in the given reactions, is :
A.
B.
C.
D.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
A.
B.
C.
D.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Choose an option
Show full solutionCorrect option: B
Correct answer
B
Step-by-step explanation
Product [A]: From PhNH₂, steps (1) NaNO₂ + HCl forms diazonium salt, (2) CuCN gives benzonitrile, (3) H₃O⁺/Δ hydrolyzes to benzoic acid (PhCOOH), pKa ≈ 4.2.
Product [B]: From CH₃CH₂CHO, Tollens' oxidation with produces acetic acid (CH₃COOH), pKa ≈ 4.8.
Product [C]: From CH₄ + O₂ with heat and Na₂Cr₂O₇/H⁺ produces formic acid (HCOOH), pKa ≈ 3.8 (strongest acid).
Product [D]: From PhCH₂MgBr + CO₂, the Grignard reaction produces phenylacetic acid (PhCH₂COOH), pKa ≈ 4.3.
Acidic strength order (lower pKa = stronger): C (3.8) > A (4.2) > D (4.3) > B (4.8).
Product [B]: From CH₃CH₂CHO, Tollens' oxidation with produces acetic acid (CH₃COOH), pKa ≈ 4.8.
Product [C]: From CH₄ + O₂ with heat and Na₂Cr₂O₇/H⁺ produces formic acid (HCOOH), pKa ≈ 3.8 (strongest acid).
Product [D]: From PhCH₂MgBr + CO₂, the Grignard reaction produces phenylacetic acid (PhCH₂COOH), pKa ≈ 4.3.
Acidic strength order (lower pKa = stronger): C (3.8) > A (4.2) > D (4.3) > B (4.8).
Practice this on the real CBT interface
Solve this JEE Main question (and the rest of the Carboxylic Acid Derivatives chapter) on PrepSharp's TCS iON-style CBT player — with timer, bookmarks and session analytics.
Solve interactively →About this question
This is a previous-year question from JEE Main 2026, covering the Carboxylic Acid Derivatives chapter of Chemistry. PrepSharp catalogues every PYQ from JEE Main with a verified answer key and step-by-step solution prepared by IIT alumni — so you can search by chapter, topic or year and revise efficiently.