What Is an Oxyacid in Chemistry

An oxyacid is an acid that contains an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom and at least one other element. An oxyacid dissociates in water to form the H cation and the anion of the acid. An oxyacid has the general structure X-O-H. Also Known As: oxoacidExamples: Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and nitric acid (HNO3) are all oxyacids. Note: Keto acids and oxocarboxylic acids are sometimes mistakenly called oxyacids.