Question

Whats the oxidation state of the S in Li2S2O3?

Answer 1

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`