In the Presence of Strong Acids, Which of the Oxygen

question 2

Multiple Choice

In the presence of strong acids, which of the oxygen atoms on the carboxyl group is preferentially protonated and why?

• A)Protonation occurs at the carbonyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate acid is stabilized by resonance.
• B)Protonation occurs at the carbonyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate base is stabilized by the inductive effect.
• C)Protonation occurs at the hydroxyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate acid is stabilized by resonance.
• D)Protonation occurs at the hydroxyl oxygen because the resulting conjugate base is stabilized by the inductive effect.