The formation of hypoiodites is analogous to that of hypochlorites; but the salts are known only in solution mixed with iodide. Again, like the hypochlorites, they change on heating; they yield a mixture of iodide and iodate ; and from barium iodate iodic acid can be prepared. But it is more readily obtained by boiling iodine with nitric acid; for iodine is more easily oxidised than either chlorine or bromine; or chlorine and water may be used as an oxidising agent.