Question

What type of oxoacids are formed by halogens?

Answer 1

1. Fluorine forms only one oxoacid called hypofluorous acid (HOF), which is unstable.
2. Chlorine, bromine, and iodine form four types of oxoacids:
   • Hypohalous acids (HXO)
   • Halous acids (HXO₂)
   • Halic acids (HXO₃)
   • Perhalic acids (HXO₄)
3. Examples of chlorine oxoacids: Hypochlorous acid (HClO), Chlorous acid (HClO₂), Chloric acid (HClO₃), Perchloric acid (HClO₄).
4. Halogens show increasing acid strength with higher oxidation states of the halogen in oxoacids.
5. Some oxoacids are unstable and can be isolated only as salts.