Periodic Acid Formula: Structure, Properties & Uses

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Arpita Srivastava

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The periodic acid formula comprises iodine, hydrogen and oxygen. It is a colourless crystalline compound that is the highest oxoacid of iodine. In this, iodine is seen in oxidation state VII and has the highest oxoacid of iodine. 

  • Periodic acid is a periodate, which implies that it can exist in two forms: orthoperiodic acid and meta-periodic acid.
  • Orthoperiodic acid has the chemical formula H5IO6.
  • Meta periodic acid has the chemical formula HIO4.
  • The acid was discovered by Heinrich Gustav Magnus and C. F. Ammermuller in the year 1833.
  • When we checked the solubility of acid in water and alcohol, it was determined that these acids are soluble in water and alcohol. 
  • Periodic acid is the lightest, tasteless, and flammable gas.
  • You can use this acid during the staining method, which helps in the detection of polysaccharides such as glycogen.

Key Terms: Periodic Acid, Periodic Acid Formula, Iodine, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Iodic Acid, Hydrogen Periodate, Hydriodic Acid, Meta Periodic Acid, Water, Alcohol, Orthoperiodic Acid


What is Periodic Acid?

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The periodic acid is any of the various iodine oxides that contain more oxygen than iodic acid and differ in water content, particularly one of the crystalline compounds, orthoperiodic acid and meta-periodic acid. 

  • Periodic acid is defined as any acid-containing strongly oxidizing iodine, such as H5IO6 or HIO4.
  • Within the group, iodine is the highly electropositive and least reactive element.
  • Its name is derived from iodine, namely per-iodic acid.
  • We can also call it an oxoacid, as it consists of oxygenhydrogen, and another element.
  • You can use it to oxidize sodium iodatesolution.

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Periodic Acid Formula

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The periodic acid chemical formula is H5IO6 or HIO4. Iodine is present in periodic acid, which is the highest oxoacid of iodine. It is also known as Hydrogen periodate, Paraperiodic acid, and Iodic(VII) acid.

  • The periodic acid is an oxoacid of iodine, which has a + 7 oxidation state.
  • If you want to know about the structure of periodic acid, then it consists of three oxygen atoms double bonded with the central iodine atom.
  • It contains one hydroxyl group single bonded to the central atom.
  • The acid solution contain H+ and IO4.
  • When we dehydrate the orthoperiodic acid, it will form meta-periodic acid
  • On further heating it will form diiodine pentoxide (I2O5) and oxygen.

H5IO6 ⇌ HIO4 + 2 H2O

  • The structure of periodic acid is given as:
Periodic acid

Periodic acid 


Properties of Periodic Acid

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The properties of periodic acid are divided into physical and chemical properties which are as follows:

Physical Properties of Periodic Acid

Given below are the periodic acid physical properties:

  • The periodic acid chemical formula is HIO4.
  • It has a molecular weight of 191.908 g/mol. 
  • You can also call this acid with various chemical names, including paraperiodic acid, iodic(VII) acid, and hydrogen periodate.
  • Paraperiodic acid, Iodic(VII) acid, and Hydrogen periodate are the chemical names of the acid. 
  • Its solubility is as follows: soluble in water and alcohols. 
  • Periodic acid has a melting point of 128.5 °C.
  • The conjugate base of acid is Periodate.
  • We can use periodic acid to analyze the structural properties of carbohydrates.
  • In organic synthesis, periodic acid and its salts (potassium and sodium) are powerful oxidizing agents.

The physical properties of periodic acid are tabulated as follows:

Category Data
Chemical formula HIO4
Molecular weight 191.908 g/mol
Solubility Soluble in water and alcohols
Melting point 128.5 °C
Conjugate Base Periodate

Chemical Properties of Periodic Acid

The chemical properties of periodic acid are as follows:

  • Hydriodic acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide gas that is pale yellow in color.
  • Iodides are iodine compounds with oxidation state -1.
  • It form compounds such as hydrogen iodide (HI), sodium iodide (NaI), carbon tetraiodide (CI4), and nitrogen triiodide (NI3).
  • Iodine is an iodate salt of iodic acid in which the iodine is bound to three oxygen atoms with the formula IO3-.
  • Hydrogen iodate, HIOcan be made by oxidizing I2 in an aqueous solution with chlorine.
  • Periodic acid is a white crystal soluble in water and alcohol and loses water at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius.
Periodic acid

Periodic acid

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Things to Remember

  • Periodic acid is a type of acid in which molecules are connected via cis-edge-sharing.
  • It contains more oxygen than iodic acid and varies in water content, especially the crystalline compounds HIO4 and H5IO6.
  • The structural properties of carbohydrates can be analyzed using the acid.
  • We can use periodic acid for the separation of ammonia from hydroxy amino acids and produce acetaldehyde and higher aldehyde.
  • The prefix"meta" denotes less water, whereas"ortho'' denotes more water.
  • If you are not aware, then heating can dehydrate orthoperiodic acid to meta-periodic acid.

Sample Questions

Ques. What is the fundamental theme of periodic table organization, and what is the fundamental difference in approach between Mendeleev's Periodic Law and the Modern Periodic Law? (3 marks)

Ans. The basic theme of periodic table element organization is to simplify and systematize the study of the properties of all elements and millions of their compounds. The properties of elements are now studied in groups rather than individually, the study has become simpler.

  • The fundamental difference in approach between Mendeleev's Periodic Law and Modern Periodic Law is the shift in element classification from atomic weight to atomic number.

Ques. What do you mean by atomic radius and ionic radius? (2 marks)

Ans. The atomic radius of any element is the distance from the center of the nucleus to the outermost shell of electrons in the atom. Whether the element is a nonmetal or a metal, it can refer to the covalent or metallic radius.

The ionic radius is the distance between cations and anions in ionic crystals that can be used to calculate the ionic radii.

Ques. What are the various factors that cause the ionization enthalpy of the main group elements to decrease as they move down the group? (3 marks)

Ans. Atomic-scale. The number of electron shells increases as atomic size increases. As a result, the force that holds electrons to the nucleus weakens. As atomic size increases, the ionization enthalpy decreases.

  • Inner shell electron screening or shielding effect
  • The number of inner electron shells that shield the valence electrons grows as new shells are added.
  • As a result, the nucleus's force of attraction for valence electrons decreases further, and thus the ionization enthalpy decreases.

Ques. How to write the formula of periodic acid? (3 marks)

Ans. Periodic acid is the highest oxoacid of iodine and is composed of iodine. Oxoacid is a chemical element that contains oxygen, hydrogen, and another element. The periodic acid is an oxoacid of iodine. Iodine has a + 7 oxidation state.

  • It has three oxygen atoms that are double bonded to the central iodine atom and one hydroxyl group that is single bonded to the central atom.
  • The + 7 oxidation state of the central iodine atom in the periodic acid structure is due to three double bonded oxygens with - 2 oxidation states each and one - OH group with an oxidation state of - 1.
  • As a result, the periodic acid formula is HIO4.

Ques. Discuss briefly the various factors that influence ionization enthalpy. (3 marks)

Ans. The various factors are:

  • Atomic size: The number of electron shells increases as atomic size increases. As a result, the force that holds electrons to the nucleus weakens. As a result, as atomic size increases, the ionization enthalpy decreases.
  • Nuclear Charge: The attraction with electrons increases as the magnitude of the positive charge on an atom's nucleus increases. As a result, the magnitude of the nuclear charge increases, so does the ionization enthalpy.
  • The effect of screening or shielding: The greater the magnitude of the screening effect, the lower the ionization enthalpy or potential value.

Ques. What is the source of periodicity in elemental properties? Explain? (3 marks)

Ans. Periodicity in properties is caused by the repetition of similar outer electronic configurations at regular intervals.

  • For example, if you examine all the elements in group LA, or alkali metals then they have same outer electronic configuration as ns1.
  • The number n denotes the number of outermost principal shells. S
  • Similarly, all halogens, i.e., elements of group VILA, have similar other electronic configurations, ns2 ns5, and thus have similar properties.

Ques. Mendeleev used which important property to classify the elements in this periodic table? What are the uses of Periodic Acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Mendeleev classified elements based on their atomic weight in the periodic table. Periodic acid is used in the synthesis of alkali metal iodates and the oxidation of organic halides, sulfides, and sulfoxides. In addition, aniline chemical polymerization and in situ iodine generation. Also, we can use periodic acid to separate ammonia from hydroxy amino acids.

Ques. Mention the physical properties of periodic acid? (3 marks)

Ans. The physical properties of periodic acid are as follows:

  • The chemical formula for periodic acid is HIO4.
  • It weighs 191.908 g/mol at the molecular level.
  • These acids have chemical names such as hydrogen periodate, iodic(VII) acid, and paraperiodic acid.
  • Periodate is the conjugate base of acid.
  • It can be applied to the structural analysis of carbohydrates.
  • Periodic acid and its salts (potassium and sodium) are strong oxidizers in the production of organic compounds.

Ques. Explain the uses of periodic acid? (3 marks)

Ans. The uses of periodic acid are as follows:

  • Alkali metal iodates are synthesised using periodic acid.
  • It is employed in in situ iodine production, oxidation of organic sulfides, sulfoxides, and halides, and aniline chemical polymerization.
  • Ammonia and hydroxy amino acids are also separated using periodic acid.
  • It is employed in the synthesis of acetaldehyde and higher aldehydes by separating ammonia (NH3) from hydroxy amino acids.

Ques. What is the molecular weight of periodic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. Periodic Acid formula consists of 1 Iodine, 1 Hydrogen and 4 Oxygen atoms.

  • Atomic weight of hydrogen is 1.00784
  • Atomic weight of each oxygen atom is 15.999
  • Atomic weight of iodine is 126.90447
  • Molecular Mass of HIO4 = 1.00784 + 126.90447 + (4 × 15.999)
  • 191.908

Ques. Explain (A) Is periodic acid hazardous to human health
(B) Name the ions present in the periodic acid? (2 marks)

Ans. (A) Periodic acid poses a health risk. It hurts and could harm the digestive system. Additionally, it causes convulsions, throat swelling, and sometimes even a coma.

(B) There are two types of periodic acid: ortho periodic acid and meta periodic acid. It has distinct hydronium and metaperiodate ions and is present in diluted aqueous solution of metaperiodic acid. It contains hydronium and orthoperiodate ions and is found in orthoperiodic acid at higher concentrations.


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