How many double bonds are present in a single molecule of perchloric acid ()? — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Perchloric acid ($HClO_4$) features a central chlorine atom $sp^3$ hybridized, bonded to one $-OH$ group via a single bond and to three oxygen atoms via double bonds ($Cl=O$). Because Cl uses its d-orbitals to form these pi bonds with the p-orbitals of oxygen, there are exactly 3 $d\pi-p\pi$ double bonds.