What are the oxidation number of the underlined elements in each of the following and how do you rationalise your results?

Question

What are the oxidation number of the underlined elements in each of the following and how do you rationalise your results? H 2 S 4 O 6

Philoid · Accepted Answer

Let the O.N. of S be ‘x’.

Now,2(+ 1) + 4(x) + 6(-2) = 0

2 + 4x-12 = 0

X = + 2

However, the O.N. cannot be fractional. Hence, S must be present in different oxidation states in the molecule.

The O.N. of two of the four S atoms is + 5 and the O.N. of the other two S atoms is 0.