Chemistry - GOC Question with Solution | TestHub

The three chlorine atoms stabilise the carboxylate by their strong -I effect, making trichloroacetic acid ($\mathrm{p}{K}_{\mathrm{a}}$ ≈ 0.7) much stronger than carbonic acid; bicarbonate is protonated and $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ gas is evolved.