
The oxidation state +2.5 is just the average oxidation state for the #S# atom.Īccording to the structure, the symmetry suggests a #-1# on each bridging sulfur ( #color(blue)(blue)#) (just like the bridging #O# atoms in a peroxide), and a #+6# ( #color(red)(red)#) on each central sulfur (like in sulfate). Group 1A elements (alkalai metals) always have an oxidation of +1. There are a set a rules that we use to determine oxidation number. The oxidation numbers also tell us how electrons move in an oxidation reduction (redox) reaction.
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You need to consider the Lewis structure of this ion. The oxidation numbers tell us how electrons are divided up or shared between atoms in a chemical compound. Why the decimal place? Because the individual partial charges of the four #S# atoms are not equal to each other. Therefore, we can rewrite the equation as Let #color (red) y# be the oxidation state of #S#. The most common oxidation state of oxygen is -2. #S_4O_6^"2-"# : overall oxidation state is -2 First we need to calculate the oxidation state of #S# atom the usual way.
