Write the name and formulae of the oxoacids of chlorine. Explain their structures and relative acidic nature.

Chlorine forms four oxyacids. They are,
1. Hypochlorous acid – HOCl
2. Chlorous acid – HClO₂
3. Chloric acid – HClO₃
4. Perchloric acid – HClO₄
1. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl):
$\circ$ Chlorine undergoes SP3 hybridisation in ground state.  $\circ$ Shape is linear

2. Chlorous acid (HClO₂)
$\circ$ Chlorine undergoes SP3 hybridisation in first excited state $\circ$ Shape is angular

3. Chloric acid (HClO₃)
$\circ$ Chlorine undergoes SP³ hybridisation in second excited state
$\circ$ Shape is pyramidal

4. Perchloric acid (HClO₄):
$\circ$ Chlorine undergoes SP³ hybridisation in third excited state
$\circ$ Shape is tetrahedral

Relative acidic nature: HClO₄ > HClO₃ > HClO₂ > HOCl