Bleaching Action & Oxyacids of Chlorine

Bleaching Action Equation:

$$\text{Cl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \to \text{HCl} + \text{HOCl} \to \text{HCl} + [\text{O}] \quad \text{(Nascent Oxygen - Permanent Bleaching)}$$

Acid Strength & Oxidizing Power of Oxyacids:

$$\text{Acid Strength: } \text{HClO}_4 > \text{HClO}_3 > \text{HClO}_2 > \text{HClO}$$

$$\text{Oxidizing Power: } \text{HClO} > \text{HClO}_2 > \text{HClO}_3 > \text{HClO}_4$$

Concept: $$\text{HClO}_4$$ is the strongest acid because its conjugate base ($$\text{ClO}_4^-$$) is stabilized by resonance across four equivalent oxygen atoms. Higher stability of the conjugate base corresponds to lower oxidizing tendency.