Sapling #12

[haley f]

Arrange the oxoacids of chlorine according to strength. HClO4, HClO3, HClO2, HClO
How do you know which of these has the strongest bond to oxygen?

[emilyyribarren1k]

The solution was that as the number of oxygen atoms increases, the strength of the O-H bond decreases, so the strength of the acid increases. I thought it was the opposite though because if there are more oxygen atoms they would hold the hydrogen more tightly making the O-H bond stronger and the acid weaker. Can someone explain why this is incorrect?

[haley f]

I was actually wondering the same thing because if the bonds are tighter they hold the H more closely, so it doesn't make sense that it is the opposite.

[MichaelRaad_1F]

I think the question was just trying to show us that the more oxygen atoms present in the molecule, the higher the strength of the acids because the more oxygen atoms, the weaker the bond to hydrogen is in the molecule.

[emilyyribarren1k]

I think the question was just trying to show us that the more oxygen atoms present in the molecule, the higher the strength of the acids because the more oxygen atoms, the weaker the bond to hydrogen is in the molecule.

But why would the bond be weaker with more oxygen atoms?

[Crystal Pan 2G]

The more oxygen atoms there are, the stronger the acid.

[Brendan Duong 1I]

The more oxygen atoms there are, the stronger the acid.

Why?

[emilyyribarren1k]

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24810&p=73966&hilit=Why+acids+stronger+when+greater+oxygen+attached+central&sid=a0cd8b26ffb01fb9ac472ebba06f717f#p73966

I found this old post and I think this helps answer the question. It seems like the additional oxygen atoms are pulling the hydrogen from the oxygen that it formed the O-H bond with, making it weaker. I think that just because there are more O doesn't mean the H is held more tightly because that H can only form a bond with (be held by) one of the O atoms.