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Iodous Acid is the conjugate acid of an iodite and an iodine oxoacid. It is also known as Hypoiodic acid. Iodous Acid Formula is HIO2. The salts of Iodous acid are referred to as iodites. The salts of this compound are extremely unstable. However, they are never isolated. These salts disproportionate quickly in order to form molecular iodates and iodine. The molecular weight of iodous acid is 159.911 g/mol.
Read More: Iodic Acid Formula
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Key Terms: Iodous Acid, Iodous Acid Formula, Iodite, Iodine, Iodine Oxoacid, Hypoiodic Acid, Conjugate Acid
What is Iodous Acid?
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Iodous acid is the oxoacid of iodine (iodine oxoacid). It is the conjugate acid of iodide and an iodine oxoacid. It is an acid sort of the iodite ion.
- The chemical or molecular formula of Iodous Acid is HIO2.
- Hypoiodic Acid is the other name for Iodous Acid.
- The salts of iodous acid are referred to as iodites.
- On disproportionation, the salts of iodous acid form molecular iodates and iodine.
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| Important Concepts Related to Iodous Acid | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hypoiodous Acid | Hydroiodic Acid | Lithium Iodide |
| Magnesium Iodide Formula | Potassium Iodate | Calcium Iodide Formula |
Iodous Acid Formula
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The molecular or chemical formula of Iodous Acid is HIO2. The molar mass of the compound is 159.911 gm/mol.
- IUPAC Name: Iodous Acid
- Chemical Formula: HIO2
- Systematic IUPAC Name: dioxidoiodate(1−)
Read More: IUPAC Nomenclature of Compounds
Structure of Iodous Acid
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The structure of HIO2 has the bottom energy isomer. Iodine exists within the oxidation number of +3 within the ion of the iodous acid. The number of hydrogen bond donors is one. The number of hydrogen bond acceptors is two. The monoisotopic mass is equal to 159.902 g/mol.
The structure of Iodous Acid is:

Structure of Iodous Acid
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Properties of Iodous Acid
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The properties of Iodous acid are tabulated below:
| Properties of Iodous Acid | |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | HIO2 |
| Molecular Weight | 159.911 g/mol |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor | 1 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor | 2 |
| Conjugate Base | Iodite |
| Complexity | 10.3 |
Things to Remember
- Iodous Acid, also known as Hypoiodic Acid, is an iodine oxoacid.
- Iodous Acid is the conjugate acid of an iodide and an iodine oxoacid.
- The Iodous Acid Formula is HIO2.
- Iodites is the name given to the salts of Iodous acid which are extremely unstable but never isolated.
- In Iodous Acid, the number of hydrogen bond donors is one while the number of hydrogen bond acceptors is two.
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Previous Year Questions
- The conjugate acid of NH2- is… (COMEDK UGET 2012)
- The conjugate acid and base of HPO2-4 respectively are… (COMEDK UGET 2010)
- Iodine is obtained from…
- The conjugate acid of HCO3- is… (COMEDK UGET 2011)
- Correct order of the size of iodine species is…
- The conjugate base of hydrazoic acid is… (JEE Main 2014)
- The conjugate base of NH3 is…
- Oxidation number of iodine in IO3-, IO4-…
- The dissociation constant of a weak base is 1 x 10… (COMEDK UGET 2011)
- Hard acids prefer to combine with… (KEAM)
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the name of HIO2? (2 Marks)
Ans. HIO2 is the chemical or molecular formula for Iodous acid. It is sometimes also referred to as Hypoiodic Acid, Iodine hydroxide Oxide, or Iodic acid.
Ques. Name and elaborate on other oxyanions related to the iodous acid formula. (5 Marks)
Ans. Iodine oxides are defined as the chemical compounds of oxygen and iodine. There are only two stable oxides of Iodine that are isolatable in bulk, iodine tetroxide, and iodine pentoxide. However, there are a number of other oxides that are formed in trace quantities or have been hypothesized to exist.
- Diiodine Monoxide (I2O) with Oxidation State of +1
- Iodine Monoxide (IO) with Oxidation State of +2
- Iodine Dioxide (IO2) with Oxidation State of +4
- Iodine Tetroxide (IO2)2 with Oxidation State of +3 and +5
- Iodine Pentoxide (O(IO2)2) with Oxidation State of +3 and +5
Ques. What is the use of Iodous acid? (3 Marks)
Ans. Iodous acid is used as a strong acid in analytical chemistry. Iodous acid may also be used to standardize solutions of both weak and strong bases. It is done using methyl red or methyl orange as the indicator.
Ques. What is the disproportionation kinetics of Iodous Acid? (3 Marks)
Ans. The disproportionation of iodous acid is investigated in an aqueous acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer to offer iodine and iodate ion(2I2 + IO3- + H+ + 2H2O). The speed of iodine formation is followed photometrically. Both catalytic and inhibitory buffer effects are observed in this process. This primary process is referred to as the disproportionation of iodine (I) to offer HOIO and I-. Then, the iodide reacts with HOI to offer I2.
Ques. List the properties of Iodous Acid. (3 Marks)
Ans. The properties of Iodous Acid are as follows:
- Chemical Formula: HIO2
- Molecular Weight: 159.911 g/mol
- Hydrogen Bond Donor: 1
- Hydrogen Bond Acceptor: 2
- Conjugate Base: Iodite
- Complexity: 10.3
- Monoisotopic Mass: 159.902 g/mol.
Ques. What are the salts of Iodous Acid known as? (3 Marks)
Ans. The salts of Iodous Acid are known by the term ‘iodites’. The salts of Iodous Acid are extremely unstable and observed. But, these salts are never isolated. Iodous Acid’s salts disproportionate quickly to form molecular iodates and iodine.
Ques. What is meant by Iodous? (2 Marks)
Ans. Iodous is something relating to or containing iodine. The word ‘iodous’ especially refers to iodine with a valency of three. Iodous acid is one such example, which is an iodine oxoacid.
Ques. Is iodic acid a strong acid? (1 Mark)
Ans. Yes, Iodic acid is a relatively strong acid. It has a pKa of 0.75. Iodic Acid is a strong oxidizing agent in acidic solution, less so in basic solution.
Ques. List the uses of iodine in Chemistry. (3 Marks)
Ans. Iodine has a variety of commercial uses. The iodide salts are used in printing inks and dyes, catalysts, animal feed supplements, pharmaceuticals and disinfectants, and photographic chemicals. It is also used in the manufacturing of polarising filters for LCD displays.
Ques. Is Iodine toxic or harmful to human beings? (3 Marks)
Ans. Though iodine is not toxic to humans, its clinical aspects of iodine toxicity from oral ingestion can range from mild to severe fever. The symptoms for the same include GI upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms may progress to delirium, stupor, and shock. However, one must note that iodine is rarely fatal.
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