What is the difference in the oxidation numbers of the two different bonding types of sulphur atoms — Redox Reactions and Volumetric Analysis Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the tetrathionate ion ($S_4O_6^{2-}$), the structure is $^-O_3S-S-S-SO_3^-$. The terminal sulphur atoms are bonded to oxygens and have an actual oxidation state of +5. The central sulphur atoms are bonded only to other sulphurs, having an actual oxidation state of 0. The difference is $ | 5 - 0 | = 5$.