Question
Which of the two: O2NCH2CH2O– or CH3CH2O– is expected to be more stable and why ?
Solution
O2NCH2CH2O– is more stable because –NO2 group with –I effect disperses the negative charge on the anion. On the other hand, CH3CH2– group with +I effect increases the magnitude of the negative charge on the anion and thus destabilises it.
