What is the oxidation state of #Cl# in #HClO_2#?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 23, 2016

The sum of the oxidation numbers equals ZERO for a neutral molecule. For chlorous acid #ON_"chlorine"=+III#

Explanation:

And thus #0=ON_"hydrogen"+ON_"oxygen"+ON_"chlorine"#

i.e., #0=+I-2xx(-II)+ ON_"chlorine"#

#ON_"chlorine"=+III#

What is the oxidation number of #Cl# in perchloric acid, #HClO_4#, in chloric acid, #HClO_3#?

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