What are the sulfur oxidation numbers in #SO_3(g)# and #SO(g)#?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 1, 2017

We gots #"sulfur(VI+)"# versus #"sulfur(+II)"#..........

Explanation:

Given the standard rules for assigning oxidation numbers, oxygen generally assumes states of #stackrel(-II)O#, and hydrogen #stackrel(+I)H#, and it does for these molecules.

And thus the sum of the oxidation numbers equals the charge on the molecule......for sulfuric acid, ..............

#0=2xx+I+4xx-II+S_"oxidation number"#.
Clearly, #S_"oxidation number"=+VI#.

And likewise we gots #stackrel(+II)S# in #SO#. #"Sulfur monoxide"# is an exceptionally rare beast.

What about the oxidation numbers in #H_2SO_3#, #SO_3#, and #SO_2#?

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