Q34 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (22 Apr Shift 2) · Chemistry
Which of the following halogen forms maximum number of oxoacids?
- A$F$
- Correct answerBCl
- CBr
- DI
Solution
The formation of oxoacids by halogens depends on the availability of d-orbitals to expand the octet, allowing multiple oxidation states.
Fluorine cannot expand its octet and forms only one oxoacid: hypofluorous acid $\mathrm{HOF}$ (oxidation state $+1$).
Chlorine, with available d-orbitals, forms four stable oxoacids: hypochlorous $\mathrm{HClO}$ ($+1$), chlorous $\mathrm{HClO_2}$ ($+3$), chloric $\mathrm{HClO_3}$ ($+5$), and perchloric acid $\mathrm{HClO_4}$ ($+7$).
Bromine forms hypobromous $\mathrm{HBrO}$ ($+1$), bromic $\mathrm{HBrO_3}$ ($+5$), and perbromic acid $\mathrm{HBrO_4}$ ($+7$), omitting the unstable bromous acid $\mathrm{HBrO_2}$ ($+3$).
Iodine forms hypoiodous $\mathrm{HIO}$ ($+1$), iodic $\mathrm{HIO_3}$ ($+5$), and periodic acid $\mathrm{HIO_4}$ or $\mathrm{H_5IO_6}$ ($+7$), excluding the unstable iodous acid $\mathrm{HIO_2}$ ($+3$).
Chlorine forms the maximum number of stable oxoacids.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.