Which halogen forms the strongest bond with hydrogen to form #HX#?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 20, 2015

Which atom forms the strongest bond with hydrogen; which acid is the weakest? Clearly, it is fluorine.

Explanation:

The strongest #H-X# bond is definitely between hydrogen and fluorine. Fluorine is a first row element; it makes sense that there is better overlap between fluorine/hydrogen orbitals, than between chlorine/hydrogen orbitals. The strength of the #H-F# bond is well illustrated by the acidity of the hydrohalic acids. #H-Cl#, and #H-Br# undergo almost complete dissociation in water; they are strong acids. #H-F# is considered to be a weak water acid in that the smaller fluorine atom tenaciously binds to the proton.

As a physical scientist you should look up the numbers, and look at the #pK_a#'s of the hydrohalic acids.

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