chemistry
Rank the following compounds in order of increasing acid strength (1 = weakest, 4 = strongest)
HClO
HClO3
HClO2
HClO4
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Answers
1. HClO
2. HClO2
3. HClO3
4. HClO4
This is because ClO− and HClO2 have the same Lewis structure, but ClO3− has a negative formal charge on the central atom (oxygen). Therefore, HClO3 has a weaker bond than HClO2, and HClO4 has the strongest bond of the four as it has the most negative formal charge (on oxygen).