Unraveling the Mystery of HCl: Why Hydrochloric and Not Just Chloric?

[bomba923]

Why is HCl called hydrochloric acid, not just "chloric" acid?

I mean, we don't say hydronitric acid, nor do we say hydrosulfuric acid.

But then why is HCl called hydrochloric acid, not just chloric acid? (i mean, we do add the hydrogen for acid)

My guess is that this is so because the anion (Cl-) of HCl is just a single element, not something like NO3, or SO4...well, u see...

But is this why we say hydrochloric, not just chloric? Well, if not, then why?

 

[dextercioby]

Okay,assume HCl=chloric acid,but how will u name HClO_{3}...?

Daniel.

 

[bomba923]

Okay,assume HCl=chloric acid,but how will u name HClO_{3}...?

Daniel.

Ahh...i see; "chloratic" acid would sound strange indeed! (i.e., hydrogen chlorate);

So then, perhaps the reason why we say "hydrochloric" acid is because HCl doesn't have an oxyanion (also, it's just one element)?

 

[dextercioby]

No,we never name acids from their salts,but viceversa.And salts (as in X chlorate $X^{n}(ClO_{3})_{n}$ assume IONIC bond between the chlorate ION and the X ION...

Daniel.

 

[bomba923]

No,we never name acids from their salts,but viceversa.And salts (as in X chlorate $X^{n}(ClO_{3})_{n}$ assume IONIC bond between the chlorate ION and the X ION...

Daniel.

(well, now THAT makes sense!)
Well .., :shy: I see now...mmhmm
NOw i see

 

[pack_rat2]

The convention is that (inorganic) acids which are NOT oxy-acids H2SO4, HNO3, H3PO4 are common oxy-acids) have a "hydro" prefix; ie, HCl, HF, H2S, etc. A lot in chemical terminology just evolved that way! For instance, the word "oxygen" means "acid generator," and comes from an age when it was believed all acids contained that element.