Given the following equation: HClO2+H2O--> H2O + ClO2, how would you identify the acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 7, 2015

It should read:
#HClO_2 + H_2O rightleftharpoons ClO_2^(-) + H_3O^+#

Explanation:

You know that the conjugate base of an acid is the anion after protonation of water. You further know that a base accepts a proton, and an acid donates a proton.

So what is the oxidation state of chlorine in this chlorous acid? This is a weak acid as acids go; perchloric acid #HClO_4# (oxidation state of #Cl#?) is much stronger; why?

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