Whats the oxidation state of the S in Li2S2O3?

1 Answer
Feb 16, 2018

I got +2 if the molecule is neutral.

Explanation:

In Li_2S_2O_3, lithium has an oxidation state of +1, and oxygen will have an oxidation state of -2 (since it's not in a peroxide or F_2O).

The unknown is S_2 oxidation charge, right now, the total charge is

2*1+(-2)*3=2-6=-4

For the molecule to be neutral, then the total charge should be 0.

Let x be the total charge of S_2, therefore

-4+x=0

x=4

So, S_2 has a +4 charge, or each S atom has a charge of

(+4)/2=+2