Question

Oxygenated acids are more corrosive than oxygen-free acids.

(a) True

(b) False

The question was posed to me in an online interview.

This is a very interesting question from Corrosion Principles topic in portion Corrosion Principles of Corrosion Engineering

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) True

Easiest explanation: Case1 (Oxygen-free acids)

Anodic reaction: M==M>^+n+ne

Cathodic reaction: 2H^++2e==>H2

Case2 (Oxygenated acids)

Anodic reaction: M==>M^+n+ne

Cathodic reaction: 2H^++2e==>H2, O2+4H^++4e==>2H2O

This oxygen reduction increases the cathodic rate which correspondingly increases the anodic rate or corrosion rate.