What is the oxidation number of sulfur in s2o3 2-?

Answer 1

+6. Working this out is tricky. Not knowing the structure, and assuming each oxygen was present as O2- you would have to say -7. This is difficult to understand as S has only 6 valence electrons. The structure is actually O3SOOSO3,(see link), 6 oxide ions (oxidation number -2) and 1 peroxide ion (overall oxidation number -2, average oxygen oxidation number of -1) . Overall the oxygen atoms contribute -14, and less the charge on the ion of -2 gives the total oxidation number of both sulfur atoms as +12, so each sulfur is +6. This is a lot more sensible. S has its maximum oxidation number of +6 as it does in SO3 and SO42-.

Answer 2

The oxidation number for the entire ion is -2. Oxygen, being the most electronegative element in the ion has -2 as oxidation number. The oxidation number of the central atom, sulfur, is +4 (four covalent bonds to three oxygen atoms).

Answer 3

its +6 because oxygen is more electronegative.

Answer 4

This is the thiosulfate ion. Sulfur shows +6 oxidation number.

Answer 5

+7. The oxygen molecules (-2 each) have a total number of -16, therefore to get an overall charge of -2 each S atom needs to be +7.

Answer 6

SO3 is a acidic gas.. Sulphar shows +6 oxidation number.

Answer 7

+2 - apex!

Answer 8

S:3+ o:2-

Answer 9

+3

Answer 10

+2