Observation Set 3 The concepts of partial atomic charges and relative electroneg

Question

Observation Set 3

The concepts of partial atomic charges and relative electronegativities can be used to predict the acid–base properties of molecules. These partial hydrogen charges (?+) have been calculated based on the electronegativities of the atoms.

11.   Why is HCl a strong acid and HClO a weak acid?

Species H's Charge (?+) Species H's Charge (?+) CH4 +0.012 H2PO4– +0.36 HClO +0.34 H2O +0.26 HSO3– +0.28 HSO4– +0.30 H2SO4 +0.53 HClO4 +0.57 CH3COOH +0.35 (OH) CH3OH +0.30 (OH) +0.099 (CH) +0.050 (CH) H3PO4 +0.36 H2S +0.30 Al(OH)3 +0.23 HPO4– +0.26

Explanation / Answer

In HCl, the bond which is going to be break is between Cl and H (more polar, electronegativity difference is more) while in HOCl, the bond is going to break is between Cl and O(less polar, electronegativity difference is less)

H+ is more in HCl than HOCl years hence strong acid.

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