Oxygen is more electronegative than chloride. In the series of oxyacids HOCI, `HCIO_(2)`, `HCIO_(3)` and `HCIO_(4)`, an increasing number of oxygen atom is bonded to the chlorine atom. Chlorine forms a number of oxyacids which differ in their stability order.
Which of the following is the strongest conjugate base ?

Options

A. `CIO^(Theta)`
B. `CIO_(2)^(Theta)`
C. `CIO_(3)^(Theta)`
D. `CIO_(4)^(Theta)`

Answer

To determine the strongest conjugate base among the given oxyacids of chlorine (HClO, HClO₂, HClO₃, and HClO₄), we need to follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the concept of conjugate bases
A conjugate base is formed when an acid donates a proton (H⁺). The strength of a conjugate base is inversely related to the strength of its corresponding acid; weaker acids have stronger conjugate bases.

### Step 2: Identify the acids and their acidic strength
We need to establish the acidic strength of the given oxyacids:
- HClO₄ (perchloric acid) is the strongest acid.
- HClO₃ (chloric acid) is weaker than HClO₄.
- HClO₂ (chlorous acid) is weaker than HClO₃.
- HClO (hypochlorous acid) is the weakest among them.

### Step 3: Determine the weakest acid
From the order of acidic strength, we see that HClO is the weakest acid.

### Step 4: Identify the conjugate base of the weakest acid
When HClO donates a proton (H⁺), its conjugate base is ClO⁻.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Since HClO is the weakest acid, its conjugate base ClO⁻ is the strongest conjugate base among the options given.

### Final Answer
The strongest conjugate base is ClO⁻ (from HClO).

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