Explain why fluorine forms only one oxoacid, HOF.

Answer

Chlorine, bromine and iodine form four series of oxyacids of the general formula `HOX, HOXO, HOXO_(2)` and `HOXO_(3)` in which the oxidation states of halogen `(X=Cl, Br` or `l`) is `+1, +3` and `+5` and `+7` respectively.However, due to high electronegativity and small size, `F` cannot act as central atom in higher oxacids such as `HOFO. HOFO_(2)` and `HOFO_(3)` In which the oxidation state of `F` would be `+3, +5` and `+7`.It just forms one oxoacid, i.e., `HOF` in which the oxidation state of `F` is `+1`.