Identify the correct order of acidic strength for the given oxoacids of chlorine: $\text{HClO}$, ${\text{HClO}}_2$, ${\text{HClO}}_3$, and ${\text{HClO}}_4$.

Solution

1. The acidic strength depends on the stability of the conjugate base formed after the loss of a proton.
2. As the number of oxygen atoms increases, the negative charge on the conjugate base is delocalized over more oxygen atoms.
3. The stability of the conjugate base follows the order ${\text{ClO}}^{-}<{\text{ClO}}_2^{-}<{\text{ClO}}_3^{-}<{\text{ClO}}_4^{-}$.
4. Hence the answer is (A).