Which chemical formula corresponds to periodic acid (the oxyacid of iodine in its highest common oxidation state)?

• A. $H{I}_2{O}_6$
• B. $HI{O}_4$
• C. $HI{O}_3$
• D. $H{I}_2{O}_5$

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the element involved in the oxyacid, which is iodine (I), and recognize that the problem asks for the oxyacid of iodine in its highest common oxidation state.
2. Recall that the highest common oxidation state of iodine in oxyacids is +7, which corresponds to the fully oxidized form of iodine.
3. Understand that periodic acid is the name given to the iodine oxyacid where iodine is in the +7 oxidation state.
4. Write the general formula for periodic acid, which is known to be HIO4 or H5IO6 depending on the form, but the simplest and most common formula representing iodine in +7 oxidation state is HIO4.
5. Match the given chemical formulas to the known formula for periodic acid (HIO4) and select the one that corresponds to this formula.