Structure and Oxidataion no.

[asutoshsahu]

What is the structure of Na2S4O6

IN THIS MOLECULE WHAT IS THE OXIDATION NO. OF SULPHER.

[opuntia]

Here are some hints,
Oxidation number of group one metals is +1
Oxidation number of oxygen is -2
The sum of all the oxidation numbers of a neutral molecule is equal to zero.

Now try on your own and just let us know the answer you get.

[asutoshsahu]

In Na2S4O6
Na +1
O -2
Then 1x2+4S+(-2)x6=0
Soving this we get O.N. of S=2.5

But in a book it is given that in this molecule two S atom has O.N. +5 (i.e. 5+5 = 10 ) and the other two S has zero O.N.

Any comments on this.....

[opuntia]

What your book says... :shock: never seen anything like that before!

[guanine]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think that in this compound, Na2S4O6, has three O2 2- groups. The oxygen atoms in an O2 2- group have oxidation states of -1; therefore, the oxidation states of the sulfur would be 2.

[Carib eyez]

[quote="asutoshsahu"]In Na2S4O6
Na +1
O -2
Then 1x2+4S+(-2)x6=0
Soving this we get O.N. of S=2.5[quote]

That's how I work it out thusthe answer is 2.5

[guanine]

I've never heard of an oxidation state that isn't an interger. :? :?: If there can be non-interger oxidation states, please inform me. I'm gonna ask my teacher about it as well.

[asutoshsahu]

Hey I have got the answer .
I am sending a image file and see how the two S has O.N. +5 and the rest two zero

The two sulfurs shown in red are each bonded to three oxygens and one sulfur, for an oxidation of +3; but they also carry a +2 formal charge, so their oxidation state is +5. On the other hand, the two sulfurs shown in blue are bonded only to sulfur, and have no formal charge; their oxidation state is 0 (zero). The total oxidation states of the four sulfur atoms is 5 + 5 + 0 + 0 = 10, or an average of +2.5.

[opuntia]

Originally Posted by guanine

I've never heard of an oxidation state that isn't an interger. :? :?: If there can be non-interger oxidation states, please inform me. I'm gonna ask my teacher about it as well.

I asked my teacher and she said that it is possible for an element to have an oxidation number which is not an integer.