Consider the structure of the tetrathionate ion ( S ₄ O ₆²⁻ ). What is the difference in the oxidation state between the terminal and central sulfur atoms, and what is the total number of lone pairs present on all the sulfur atoms in the ion, respectively?

Step-by-step solution

The tetrathionate ion ( S ₄ O ₆²⁻ ) has the structure ^- O ₃ S - S - S - SO ₃^- . The terminal sulfur atoms are bonded to three oxygen atoms and one sulfur atom. Assigning electrons based on electronegativity, the terminal sulfur atoms have an oxidation state of +5 . The central sulfur atoms are bonded only to other sulfur atoms, so they have an oxidation state of 0 . Difference in oxidation state = 5 - 0 = 5 . For lone pairs on sulfur atoms: Terminal sulfur atoms use all 6 of their valence electrons in bonding (tw