In SₙO₆²⁻ use the polythionate chain O₃S–Sₙ₋₂–SO₃. Each terminal S has two formal S=O and one S–O⁻, with equivalent resonance-averaged terminal S–O bonds. The average oxidation state of ALL sulfur ato

Question

In SₙO₆²⁻ use the polythionate chain O₃S–Sₙ₋₂–SO₃. Each terminal S has two formal S=O and one S–O⁻, with equivalent resonance-averaged terminal S–O bonds. The average oxidation state of ALL sulfur atoms is 6/5 times that mean S–O bond order. Find n.

TestHub · Accepted Answer

Oxygen contributes−12 and the ion charge is−2, so the sulfur sum is+10 and mean10/n. Terminal S–O mean BO=(2+2+1)/3=5/3. Hence10/n=(6/5)(5/3)=2, n=5. Terminal S atoms are+5 and internal ones0; their average is not each atom's state.

Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

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