Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Chlorous acid is an inorganic compound with the formula HClO2. It is a weak acid. Chlorine has oxidation state +3 in this acid. The pure substance is unstable disproportionating to hypochlorous acid (Cl oxidation state +1) and chloric acid (Cl oxidation state +5): 2 HClO2 โ HClO + HClO3Although the acid is difficult to obtain in pure substance the conjugate base chlorite derived from this acid is stable. One example of a salt of this anion is the well-known sodium chlorite.