Identify the stronger base in each of the following pairs.

Explain your reasoning.

(a) ClO₂^- or ClO₃^-

Video transcript

Welcome back everyone to another video, choose which is the stronger base and explain why we're given bro three negative and bro two negative. In order to answer which one is the stronger base, we can essentially compare the acid trend. So if we add one hydrogen to each of our bases, we obtain HBRO three and HBRO two. Let's recall that for Oxo aids that contain halogen as the central atom, an increase in the number of oxygens essentially increases the oxidation state of the central atom and also an increase in ox to an increase in the acid strength. Right? Based on the negative inductive effect, essentially an additional oxygen atom allows us to weaken the oxygen hydrogen bond and make H Pr 03 a stronger acid, which essentially means that HBRO two is a weaker acid because it contains fewer oxygen atoms. Let's recall that the base trend is inversely proportional to the conjugate acid trend. So the weaker acid would essentially lead to a stronger conjugate base, meaning bro two negative, yes, a stronger base because HBRO two is a weaker acid then HBR of three. And we already know why H Pr 02 is a weaker asset. It's based on the fact that it has fewer oxygens and based on the negative inductive effect, a fewer number of oxygen atoms leads to a stronger oxygen hydrogen bond. Thank you for watching.