Question:
What is the oxidation state of chlorine in its weakest oxoacid?
What is the oxidation state of chlorine in its weakest oxoacid?
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The weakest oxoacid of chlorine is hypochlorous acid, HOCl, with Cl in +1.
Updated On: Oct 1, 2026
- \(+1\)
- \(-1\)
- \(+3\)
- \(-3\)
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The oxoacids of chlorine are HOCl, \(\text{HClO}_2\), \(\text{HClO}_3\) and \(\text{HClO}_4\). Acid strength rises as the number of oxygen atoms on chlorine increases, because the extra oxygens pull electron density and stabilise the anion.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Find the weakest acid, then compute the oxidation state of Cl using hydrogen +1 and oxygen -2.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The weakest acid is hypochlorous acid, HOCl, with only one oxygen.
\[ (+1) + x + (-2) = 0 \Rightarrow x = +1 \]
For comparison, \(\text{HClO}_2\) has \(x = +3\), \(\text{HClO}_3\) has \(x = +5\) and \(\text{HClO}_4\) has \(x = +7\), and these are all stronger acids. The values +3 in option (C) belongs to chlorous acid, while -1 and -3 are not oxoacid states at all.
Final Answer:
Chlorine is in the +1 state in the weakest oxoacid HOCl, option (A). \[ \boxed{+1 \text{ (A)}} \]
The oxoacids of chlorine are HOCl, \(\text{HClO}_2\), \(\text{HClO}_3\) and \(\text{HClO}_4\). Acid strength rises as the number of oxygen atoms on chlorine increases, because the extra oxygens pull electron density and stabilise the anion.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Find the weakest acid, then compute the oxidation state of Cl using hydrogen +1 and oxygen -2.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The weakest acid is hypochlorous acid, HOCl, with only one oxygen.
\[ (+1) + x + (-2) = 0 \Rightarrow x = +1 \]
For comparison, \(\text{HClO}_2\) has \(x = +3\), \(\text{HClO}_3\) has \(x = +5\) and \(\text{HClO}_4\) has \(x = +7\), and these are all stronger acids. The values +3 in option (C) belongs to chlorous acid, while -1 and -3 are not oxoacid states at all.
Final Answer:
Chlorine is in the +1 state in the weakest oxoacid HOCl, option (A). \[ \boxed{+1 \text{ (A)}} \]
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