Which of the following statements are wrong ?

Options

A. Benzoic acid is a stronger acid than o-toluic acid.
B. m-Toluic acid is a stronger acid than `p-`touic acid.
C. Salicylic acid is a stronger acid than benzoic acid.
D. `p-`Hydroxy benzoic acid is a stronger acid than m-hydroxy benzoic acid.

Answer

To determine which statements are wrong regarding the acidity of carboxylic acids, we will analyze each statement step by step.

### Step 1: Analyze Statement A
**Statement A:** Benzoic acid is stronger than ortho-toluic acid.

- **Explanation:** Benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) does not have any alkyl groups attached, while ortho-toluic acid (C6H4(CH3)COOH) has a methyl group at the ortho position. The methyl group exhibits a +I (inductive) effect and hyperconjugation, which destabilizes the carboxylic acid group, making ortho-toluic acid less acidic than benzoic acid. Therefore, this statement is **correct**.

### Step 2: Analyze Statement B
**Statement B:** Meta-toluic acid is stronger than para-toluic acid.

- **Explanation:** Meta-toluic acid (C6H4(CH3)COOH at the meta position) has a methyl group that exerts a +I effect, but it does not have the hyperconjugation effect that is present in para-toluic acid (C6H4(CH3)COOH at the para position). The hyperconjugation effect in para-toluic acid stabilizes the carboxylate ion formed after deprotonation, making para-toluic acid more acidic. Thus, this statement is **incorrect**.

### Step 3: Analyze Statement C
**Statement C:** Salicylic acid is stronger than benzoic acid.

- **Explanation:** Salicylic acid (C6H4(OH)COOH) has a hydroxyl group at the ortho position, which exhibits a +M (mesomeric) effect that destabilizes the carboxylic acid group, making it less acidic compared to benzoic acid. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

### Step 4: Analyze Statement D
**Statement D:** Para-hydroxybenzoic acid is stronger than meta-hydroxybenzoic acid.

- **Explanation:** Para-hydroxybenzoic acid has the hydroxyl group at the para position, which exerts a +M effect, stabilizing the carboxylate ion and thus making it more acidic. In contrast, meta-hydroxybenzoic acid has the hydroxyl group at the meta position, which only exerts a -I effect and does not stabilize the carboxylate ion as effectively. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

### Conclusion
The wrong statements are:
- **Statement B:** Meta-toluic acid is stronger than para-toluic acid.
- **Statement C:** Salicylic acid is stronger than benzoic acid.
- **Statement D:** Para-hydroxybenzoic acid is stronger than meta-hydroxybenzoic acid.

### Final Answer
The wrong statements are **C and D**.

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