The correct name for HBrO4 is __. Select one:
a. bromous acid b. hydrobromous acid c. hydrobromic acid d. perbromic acid e. bromic acid
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct name for HBrO4 is d. perbromic acid.
To explain this, let’s break down the nomenclature system used for naming oxyacids. An oxyacid is composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (usually a nonmetal). The name of an oxyacid depends on the oxidation state of the central nonmetal element.
For acids containing bromine, the naming follows this pattern:
- If the bromine is in the highest oxidation state (+7), the acid is called perbromic acid.
- If the oxidation state of bromine is +5, the acid is called bromic acid.
- If the oxidation state of bromine is +3, the acid is called bromous acid.
- If the oxidation state of bromine is +1, the acid is called hydrobromic acid.
In the case of HBrO4, bromine is in the +7 oxidation state, which means this acid is perbromic acid. The “per-” prefix is used to indicate the highest oxidation state of the halogen in the acid.
In summary, HBrO4 has the highest oxidation state of bromine (+7), and the naming rule dictates that it should be called perbromic acid. Other options, like hydrobromic acid (which corresponds to a bromine oxidation state of +1) or bromic acid (oxidation state of +5), do not apply in this case.