Benzoic acid is less acidic than salicyclic acid because of

Options

A. Hydrogen bond
B. Inductive effect
C. Resonance
D. All of these

Answer

A

Explanation

After transfer of proton, the hydrogen bonding in salicylate ion is stronger than the hydrogen bonding (intramolecular) in salicylic acid. The conjugate base is more stabilized, hence salicylic acid is more acidic than benzoic acid.