Question

The correct order of $Cl-O$ bond distance in $HClO$, $HCl{O}_2$, $HCl{O}_3$, $HCl{O}_4$ is :

• A. $HClO$ > $HCl{O}_2$ > $HCl{O}_3$ > $HCl{O}_4$
• B. $HClO$ > $HCl{O}_2$ < $HCl{O}_3$ > $HCl{O}_4$
• C. $HCl{O}_2$ > $HCl{O}_3$ > $HCl{O}_4$ > $HClO$
• D. $HClO$ < $HCl{O}_2$ < $HCl{O}_3$ < $HCl{O}_4$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $HClO$ > $HCl{O}_2$ > $HCl{O}_3$ > $HCl{O}_4$

The $Cl-O$ bond distance follows the order given in option A.
Order of thermal stability of oxyacids is $HClO$ < $HCl{O}_2$ < $HCl{O}_3$ < $HCl{O}_4$.
Thermal stability is directly proportional to bond dissociation enthalpy which in turn is inversely proportional to bond length. So the bond length decreases as the thermal stability increases. Thermal stabilty increases with increase in oxidation state of central atom.
The $Cl-O$ bond distance follows the order $HClO$ > $HCl{O}_2$ > $HCl{O}_3$ > $HCl{O}_4$.