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How does an oxyacid with the formula XOn(OH)m change in strength as n increases?
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oxyacid
The structure of phosphorous acid, H3PO3.
For an oxyacid with the general formula , the acid strength increases as the value of increases.1
This occurs because represents the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central nonmetal atom that are not part of a hydroxyl () group. As increases, the oxidation number of the central atom also increases. A higher oxidation state for the central atom exerts a stronger electron-withdrawing effect, which polarizes the bond more effectively, facilitating the release of a hydrogen ion and thereby increasing the acid strength.1