Question

Which is the strongest acid in the following?

Options

• H₂SO₄

• HClO₃

• HClO₄

• H₂SO₃

Answer 1

HClO₄

Explanation:

The oxidation number of the central atom can be determined by the strength of oxyacids. The oxyacid becomes increasingly acidic as the oxidation number of the central atom increases.

\[\ce{H2\overset{+6}{S}O4, H\overset{+7}{Cl}O4, H2\overset{+4}{S}O3}\]

Because the amount of Cl oxidations in HClO₄ is the highest, HClO₄ is the strongest acid among the offered.