Question

The sequence of acidic character is

• A. $\ce{SO_2 > CO_2 > CO > N_2O_5}$
• B. $\ce{SO_2 > N_2O_5 > CO > CO_2}$
• C. $\ce{N_2O_5 > SO_2 > CO > CO_2}$
• D. $\ce{N_2O_5 > SO_2 > CO_2 > CO}$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$\ce{N_2O_5 > SO_2 > CO_2 > CO}$

Answer 2

Out of N, S and C, nitrogen has the highest electronegativity and it decrease in the order N > S > C. Thus the oxide of nitrogen in its highest (+5) oxidation state will the most acidic. Next to ${N_2O_5}$ in the decreasing order of acidity will be ${SO_2}$ then ${CO_2}$ and finally CO which is neutral.