Ramesh V
Last Activity: 15 Years ago
The acidic strength of hydrogen halides varies in the order HF<HCl<HBr<HI.
Because bond (H–X) dissociation enthalpy decrease in the order: H–F > H–Cl >H–Br > H–I.
HF is the weakest acid among hydrohalo-acids inspite of the fact that fluorine is most electronegative.
F2 cannot be formed due to its small size, highest electronegativity, low F-F bond dissociation enthalpy, and non availability of d orbitals in valence shell.
Since H-Br bond dissociation energy is less , and since Br2 has low electroonegativity and high Br-Br bond dissociation enthalpy, Br2 is obtained by electrolysis
HBr electrolysis:
At anode: 2HBr ---> Br2 +2H+ +2e-
At cathode: 2H+ +2e- -----> H2
But for HF, Fluorine formed at anode in electrolysis of HF, reacts violently with water forming hydrogen fluoride, and liberates oxygen which is highly charged with ozone.
2 F2 + 2 H2O ==> 4 HF + O2
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Naga Ramesh
IIT Kgp - 2005 batch