Chlorine Oxoacids
Mediumchemistry
Arrange the following oxoacids of chlorine in increasing order of oxidizing power: HClO, HClO₂, HClO₃, HClO₄
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
HClO₄ < HClO₃ < HClO₂ < HClO
The Oxidizing Power of oxoacids is related to the stability of the central atom's oxidation state.
- Rule: For these acids, oxidizing power decreases as the oxidation state of Chlorine increases.
- Calculations: HClO (+1), HClO2 (+3), HClO3 (+5), HClO4 (+7).
- Explanation: In HClO4, the chlorine is highly stabilized by four oxygen atoms through resonance (Perchlorate ion is very stable). In HClO (Hypochlorous acid), the Cl is more 'eager' to gain electrons and return to a lower state (Cl−), making it the strongest oxidizer.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- p-block elements
- Topic
- chlorine oxoacids
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
HClO₄ < HClO₃ < HClO₂ < HClO
The Oxidizing Power of oxoacids is related to the stability of the central atom's oxidation state.
- Rule: For these acids, oxidizing power decreases as the oxidation state of Chlorine increases.
- Calculations: HClO (+1), HClO2 (+3), HClO3 (+5), HClO4 (+7).
- Explanation: In HClO4, the chlorine is highly stabilized by four oxygen atoms through resonance (Perchlorate ion is very stable). In HClO (Hypochlorous acid), the Cl is more 'eager' to gain electrons and return to a lower state (Cl−), making it the strongest oxidizer.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter p-block elements, covering the topic of chlorine oxoacids. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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