Question

Which one of the following orders correctly represents the increasing acid strengths of the given acids?

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

Answer 1

The correct option is A

$HClO<HCl{O}_2<HCl{O}_3<HCl{O}_4$

The more stable the conjugate base in the aqueous medium, the stronger the corresponding acid. $Cl{O}_4^{-}$ is very stable owing to the resonance stabilization of the negative charge across all the 4 oxygen atoms. Hence, the correct order of increasing acidic strength is $HClO<HCl{O}_2<HCl{O}_3<HCl{O}_4$.