Perchloric acid, $HClO X_{4}$ , and hydrochloric acid, $HCl$ , cannot be distinguished by strength in water, but can be distinguished in glacial acetic acid. The reason is that acetic acid

Ais a stronger base than water
Bhas a higher dielectric constant than water
Cis a strong acid itself that suppresses ionisation of both
Dis a much weaker base than water and does not accept protons completely, so intrinsic acid strengths show

Answer: D

In water both acids transfer protons completely to give

H X_{3} O X^{+}

(levelling). Acetic acid is a poor proton acceptor, so each acid is only partly ionised in it, and the extent of ionisation depends on the intrinsic acid strength.

HClO X_{4}

then proves stronger than

HCl

Practice General Organic Chemistry II: Acids and Bases More on Ortho effect and solvent effects

Previous questionNext question

Perchloric acid, HClOX4​, and hydrochloric acid, HCl, cannot be distinguished by strength in water, but can be distinguished in glacial acetic acid. The reason is that acetic acid

Answer: D

More questions on Ortho effect and solvent effects

Perchloric acid, $HClO X_{4}$ , and hydrochloric acid, $HCl$ , cannot be distinguished by strength in water, but can be distinguished in glacial acetic acid. The reason is that acetic acid