Hydrogen halides are binary compounds formed when hydrogen reacts with halogens. They exist as diatomic molecules and are known for being strong acids when dissolved in water.
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Hydrogen halides include HF, HCl, HBr, HI, and HAt.
These compounds are typically gaseous at room temperature except for HF, which has a high boiling point due to hydrogen bonding.
When dissolved in water, hydrogen halides (except HF) form strong acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
The reactivity of hydrogen halides increases from HF to HI, with HF being the least reactive due to its strong bond strength.
Hydrogen halides can be prepared by direct combination of elemental hydrogen and the respective halogen or by reacting a salt of the halogen with a stronger acid.
Review Questions
What is the general formula for a hydrogen halide?
Why is HF considered a weak acid compared to other hydrogen halides?
How does the boiling point trend change among different hydrogen halides?