HClO₃, also known as chloric acid, is a covalent compound. It consists of hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O) atoms bonded together through covalent bonds. In molecular terms, the chlorine atom is centrally located and forms bonds with three oxygen atoms, with one of these oxygens also attached to a hydrogen atom.
Since HClO₃ is an acid, it dissociates in water to produce H⁺ and ClO₃⁻ ions. However, this dissociation does not mean that the molecule itself is ionic. Instead, HClO₃ is a polar covalent compound, meaning the atoms share electrons but unequally, leading to a partial charge distribution. This polarity contributes to its solubility in water and its acidic nature.
In summary, while HClO₃ can ionize in solution, its fundamental structure and bonding classify it as a covalent compound rather than an ionic one.
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