Question

Identify the Chlorous acid from the following.

• A. \(\text{HClO}\)
• B. \(\text{HOClO}\)
• C. \(\text{HClO}_{3}\)
• D. \(\text{HClO}_{4}\)

Hint:

Chlorous acid has chlorine in the +3 oxidation state.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Oxoacids of chlorine are named hypochlorous, chlorous, chloric and perchloric acids in order of increasing oxygen.

Step 2: Formulas
Hypochlorous acid is \(\text{HClO}\), chlorous acid is \(\text{HClO}_2\), chloric acid is \(\text{HClO}_3\) and perchloric acid is \(\text{HClO}_4\).

Step 3: Compare the options
\(\text{HClO}_2\) is written structurally as \(\text{HOClO}\), which is option (B).

Final Answer:
Chlorous acid is \(\text{HOClO}\) (that is, \(\text{HClO}_2\)). \[ \boxed{\text{(B) }\text{HOClO}} \]