NiO is less basic than CaO. — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Analyze the structure and bonding linkages of each sulfur oxyanion: S2O6^2- contains a direct S-S single bond ([O3S-SO3]^2-); S2O5^2- contains an unsymmetrical S-S bond ([O2S-SO3]^2-); S2O3^2- features a central sulfur bonded to a terminal sulfur (S-S double/single bond). Step 2: S2O8^2- (peroxydisulfate) features a peroxy linkage (-O-O-) bridging the two sulfur atoms, represented as [O3S-O-O-SO3]^2-. Step 3: Because of the peroxide bridge, S2O8^2- does not contain any direct S-S linkage, making (b) the correct answer.