Among the following oxoacids, the correct decreasing order of acid strength is:

Options

A. `HClO_(2) gt HClO_(4) gt HClO_(3) gt HOCl`
B. `HOCl gt HClO_(2) gt HClO_(3) gt HOCl_(4)`
C. `HClO_(4) gt HOCl gt HClO_(2) gt HClO_(3)`
D. `HClO_(4) gt HClO_(3) gt HClO_(2) gt HOCl`

Answer

D

Explanation

As the oxidation number of Cl decreases from +7 in `HClO_(4)` to +5 in `HClO_(3)` to +3 in `HClO_(2)` and +1 in HOCl, its tendency to attract the electrons of the O-H bond decreases. As a result, the tendency of the O-H bond to dissociate to give `H^(+)` ions decreases and hence the acid strength decreases accordingly in the order : `HClO_(4) gt HClO_(3) gt HClO_(2) gt HOCl`.