Out of 2-chloroethanol and ethanol which is more acidic and why?


2-chloroethanol is more acidic than ethanol. Due to --I effect (electron withdrawing group) of the Cl-atom electron density in O—H bond decreases. So, O—H bond of 2-chloroethanol becomes weaker than O—H bond of ethanol. Thus, 2-chloroethanal is more acidic than ethanol.

       Cl-CH2-CH2-O-H>CH3-CH2-O-H
Stronger acid due to --I  effect of Cl.