For HClO vs HClO2, how would you reason that HClO2 is the stronger acid? In the textbook it said it was based on the greater number of O atoms in HClO2, but why?
Thank you!
Which is the stronger acid?
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
To answer this question, draw the structures of the resulting anion (conjugate base) and evaluate the stability. To draw the lewis structure of the anion, draw the original lewis structure and erase an H and put a negative.
The stronger acid creates the more stable anion.
HClO2 is stronger than HClO because HClO2's resulting anion has resonance, which delocalizes the negative charge and creates more stability.
The stronger acid creates the more stable anion.
HClO2 is stronger than HClO because HClO2's resulting anion has resonance, which delocalizes the negative charge and creates more stability.
Re: Which is the stronger acid?
In both molecules the oxygens are bonded to the chlorine but not to the hydrogen and thus draw the electrons in the O—H bond towards the chlorine and the oxygen, making the O—H bond more polar. This effects chloric acid more than chlorous acid, since the hydrogen will more readily dissociate in a more polar bond
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
Having more one more O will increase stability because the negative charge is dispersed more, which increases stability.
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
Generally, when more O atoms are added to the central atom, the negative charge is dispersed more evenly. The protons will then be less strongly attached to the oxygens, resulting in a stronger acid.
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
if you draw the lewis structure, you can see that the two O that have a large E.N. will cause electron withdraw. Because of the stronger distribution of charges, it is stronger
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
you can also think of the electronegativity in the two O 'diluting' the charge, making it easier to break the bond the molecule
Re: Which is the stronger acid?
With the extra oxygen, the electrons are pulled further away from the bond containing the hydrogen, making it weaker and more easy to break.
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Re: Which is the stronger acid?
Have more oxygens will delocalize the charge more and make it easier to break the bond which results in it being a stronger acid.
Re: Which is the stronger acid?
Having the additional Oxygen would make the acid more stable because the charge would be spread out more and therefore stronger.
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