H2CO3 vs H2GeO3 [ENDORSED]

[vanessas0123]

Why is H2CO3 more acidic than H2GeO3 (besides the fact that carbonic acid is a known strong acid)?

[Sydney Jacobs 1C]

For oxoacids with the same number of oxygens, look at electronegativity. Since C is more electronegative than Ge, it will pull electron density away from the O-H bond. This strengthens the polarity of the O-H bond, and also weakens the bond. The H+ is more likely to be removed.

[Chem_Mod]

Carbonic acid is a weak acid but still stronger than H2GeO3.

[ZainAlrawi_1J]

Both of these are oxoacids, both oxoacids have the same number of Oxygen atoms, so you take a look at the electronegativity of the attached group. H2C is more electronegative than HGe (C is more electronegative than Ge), therefore it is the stronger acid.