Which one is a stronger acid- HOCl or HOI?

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SUMMARY

HOCl (hypochlorous acid) is a stronger acid than HOI (hypoiodous acid) due to the higher electronegativity of chlorine compared to iodine. The stronger H-O bond in HOCl is influenced by chlorine's ability to withdraw electron density from the oxygen atom, facilitating the release of H+. This characteristic makes HOCl more effective at donating protons in aqueous solutions than HOI, which has a weaker H-I bond and less electronegative iodine.

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  • Basic concepts of bond strength and stability in chemical compounds
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zorro
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I know that HI is a stronger acid that HCl because of the weak H-I bond which can break easily in aqueous solution. But I can't understand why HOCl is a stronger acid that HOI (as per my book)?
 
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Check their structures (hint: H isn't bonded directly to the halogen in either case). How do you think Cl will affect the H-O bond in comparison with I? Think about electronegativities here...
 
I got it. Chlorine being more electronegative atom withdraws oxygen towards itself, facilitating the release of H+
Thanks.
 
Abdul Quadeer said:
withdraws oxygen

Attracts electrons.
 

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