Question

Give a brief account of the important properties of the oxoacids of chlorine.

Give the important properties of the oxoacids of chlorine.

Answer 1

1. Four oxoacids exist: hypochlorous (HOCl), chlorous (HClO₂), chloric (HClO₃), and perchloric (HClO₄) acid.
2. Acid strength increases with more oxygen atoms: HOCl < HClO₂ < HClO₃ < HClO₄.
3. Stability arises from resonance in their anions (ClO⁻ < ClO²⁻ < ClO³⁻ < ClO⁴⁻).
4. Hypochlorous acid is unstable and decomposes to HCl and oxygen.
5. Perchloric acid is the strongest acid and a strong oxidising agent.
6. Hypochlorites are powerful oxidisers and bleaching agents.
7. Acid strength depends on halogen electronegativity and oxidation state.