Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for hypochlorous acid?

• A. HClO_2
• B. HClO_3
• C. HClO
• D. HCl

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that hypochlorous acid is an oxyacid of chlorine where chlorine is bonded to oxygen and hydrogen.
2. Recall the naming convention for chlorine oxyacids: 'hypo-' indicates the lowest number of oxygen atoms, 'chlorous' corresponds to chlorine with two oxygens, 'chloric' with three oxygens, and 'perchloric' with four oxygens.
3. Identify that hypochlorous acid has the formula with chlorine bonded to one oxygen and one hydrogen atom, which is written as \(HClO\).
4. Compare the given options: \(HClO_2\) corresponds to chlorous acid, \(HClO_3\) corresponds to chloric acid, \(HClO\) corresponds to hypochlorous acid, and \(HCl\) is hydrogen chloride (not an oxyacid).
5. Conclude that the correct formula for hypochlorous acid is \(HClO\) based on the number of oxygen atoms and the naming convention.