oxo acid

chemical compound

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July 1, 2026

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An oxyacid is a chemical compound containing oxygen that also functions as an acid. Many nonmetallic oxides react with water to form oxyacids, which release hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) in solution. The strength of an oxyacid depends on the electronegativity and oxidation number of its central nonmetal atom. For instance, perchloric acid (HClO₄) is stronger than sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), which is stronger than phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Similarly, nitric acid (HNO₃) is stronger than nitrous acid (HNO₂). Oxyacids can react with bases in a process called neutralization to form salts and water. Peroxy acids are a type of oxyacid where an -O-O-H group replaces an -O-H group, and they are often used as oxidizing agents.12

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halogen
Relative reactivity
The oxyacids are compounds in which halogen atoms are joined to oxygen atoms. The oxyacids are all powerful oxidizing agents, which can be reduced to the corresponding hydrogen halides—the oxidation numbers changing from positive to −1 in the process. The oxidizing strength of the oxyanions increases…
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The oxyacids are compounds in which halogen atoms are joined to oxygen atoms. The oxyacids are all powerful oxidizing agents, which can be reduced to the corresponding hydrogen halides—the oxidation numbers changing from positive to −1 in the process. The oxidizing strength of the oxyanions increases…
Read More