Formula HIO | Molar mass 143.89 g/mol | |
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Hypoiodous acid is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula HIO. It forms when an aqueous solution of iodine is treated with mercuric or silver salts. It rapidly decomposes by disproportionation:
5 HIO → HIO3 + 2I2 + 2H2O
Hypoiodous acid is a weak acid with a pKa of about 11. The conjugate base is hypoiodite (IO−). Salts of this anion can be prepared by treating I2 with alkali hydroxides. They rapidly disproportionate to form iodides and iodates.
References
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