ClO2- + HCOOH(aq) ---- HClO2 (aq) + HCOO-(aq) Keq<1 what are the relative strengths of the acids and bases in the reaction represented by the equation above ?

Acid stength Base strength
A. HClO2< HCOOH ClO2-< HCOO-
B. HClO2> HCOOH ClO2< HCOO-

please explain why the answer is B.

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 6, 2018

We gots...#ClO_2^(-) + HCO_2H(aq) rightleftharpoonsHClO_2(aq) + HCO_2^(-)#

Explanation:

Now the equilibrium favours the reactants as written, agreed, why? This means that #"chlorous acid"# is a stronger acid than #"formic acid"#. Conversely, #"formate ion"# is a stronger base than #"chlorite...."#

If we look at the literature, we find that #pK_a#, #"HClO"_2, =1.96#, #pK_a#, #"H"_3"CCO"_2"H", =4.76#...as we predicted....

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