What is the lewis structure for #SO_4# with 2- charge?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 11, 2016

This is the tetrahedral sulfate ion, #SO_4^(2-)#

Explanation:

Number of valence electrons

#=# #6(S) + 4xx6(O) + 2e^(-)=32" electrons"#, to be distributed across 5 centres, with a central #S# atom.

#S(=O)_2(-O^-)_2#, i.e. 16 electron pairs distributed around the 5 centres.

In the actual molecule, all the oxygen atoms are equivalent.

The sulfate ion derives from sulfuric acid, #H_2SO_4#, i.e.
#S(=O)_2(-OH)_2#. The oxidation state of sulfur here is #VI+#.

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