HClO is what type of acid/base?

Answer 1

Yes, it is a weak acid. It is also a halo-acid. It is also an oxy-acid. It is also a monprotic acid. It is also an Arrhenius acid. It is also a Bornsted-Lowry acid. So, the question is somewhat vague as there can be many correct answers.

Answer 2

The seven strong acids are H₂SO4, HCl, HClO₃, HNO₃, HClO₄, HI, and HBr. These acids are the only ones that fully dissociate in water. All other acids are weak acids. Since HClO is not one of these seven, and there is no -OH group present as there is in bases, HClO is a weak acid.

Another way to verify that this is an acid instead of a base is by looking at the ion it dissociates into. The hypochlorite ion, ClO^-, has a negative charge, making it a weak base that would like to have a hydrogen atom and cancel out the charge. In contrast, in a base such as NaOH or a weak base, positively charged ions are created.