Dithionate
Encyclopedia
The dithionate anion, S2O62−, is a sulfur
oxoanion
}
derived from dithionic acid
, H2S2O6. Its chemical formula
is sometimes written in a semistructural format, as [O3SSO3]2−.
The sulfur atoms of the dithionate ion are in the +5 oxidation state
due to the presence of the S-S bond. Generally dithionates form stable compounds that are not readily oxidised or reduced. Strong oxidants oxidise them to sulfate
s and strong reducing agents reduce them to sulfite
s and dithionite
s. Aqueous solutions of dithionates are quite stable and can be boiled without decomposition.
The γ irradiation of crystalline dithionates produces SO3− radical
ions. The unpaired electron in the SO3− radical
can be detected with electron paramagnetic resonance
and barium dithionate has been proposed as the basis for a radiation dosimeter
.
The dithionate ion can act as a bidentate ligand
.
The structure of the dithionate ion in the solid state is staggered in Na2S2O6.2H2O, whereas in the anyhydrous potassium salt it is nearly eclipsed.
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
oxoanion
Oxyanion
An oxyanion or oxoanion is a chemical compound with the generic formula AxOyz− . Oxoanions are formed by a large majority of the chemical elements. The formulae of simple oxoanions are determined by the octet rule...
}
derived from dithionic acid
Dithionic acid
Dithionic acid, H2S2O6, is a chemical compound known only in solution.- Salts :Dithionic acid is dibasic and salts called dithionates are known. No acid salts have been discovered. All dithionates are readily soluble in water. They are mild oxidizing and mild reducing agents. The structure of...
, H2S2O6. Its chemical formula
Chemical formula
A chemical formula or molecular formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound....
is sometimes written in a semistructural format, as [O3SSO3]2−.
The sulfur atoms of the dithionate ion are in the +5 oxidation state
Oxidation state
In chemistry, the oxidation state is an indicator of the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound. The formal oxidation state is the hypothetical charge that an atom would have if all bonds to atoms of different elements were 100% ionic. Oxidation states are typically represented by...
due to the presence of the S-S bond. Generally dithionates form stable compounds that are not readily oxidised or reduced. Strong oxidants oxidise them to sulfate
Sulfate
In inorganic chemistry, a sulfate is a salt of sulfuric acid.-Chemical properties:...
s and strong reducing agents reduce them to sulfite
Sulfite
Sulfites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO. The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although the acid itself is elusive, its salts are widely used.-Structure:...
s and dithionite
Dithionite
The dithionite anion , is an oxoanion of sulfur formally derived from dithionous acid, H2S2O4.-Chemistry:Dithionous acid has not been detected either as a pure compound or in solution....
s. Aqueous solutions of dithionates are quite stable and can be boiled without decomposition.
The γ irradiation of crystalline dithionates produces SO3
Radical (chemistry)
Radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons on an open shell configuration. Free radicals may have positive, negative, or zero charge...
ions. The unpaired electron in the SO3
Radical (chemistry)
Radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons on an open shell configuration. Free radicals may have positive, negative, or zero charge...
can be detected with electron paramagnetic resonance
Electron paramagnetic resonance
Electron paramagnetic resonance or electron spin resonance spectroscopyis a technique for studying chemical species that have one or more unpaired electrons, such as organic and inorganic free radicals or inorganic complexes possessing a transition metal ion...
and barium dithionate has been proposed as the basis for a radiation dosimeter
Dosimetry
Radiation dosimetry is the measurement and calculation of the absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation...
.
The dithionate ion can act as a bidentate ligand
Ligand
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding between metal and ligand generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's electron pairs. The nature of metal-ligand bonding can range from...
.
The structure of the dithionate ion in the solid state is staggered in Na2S2O6.2H2O, whereas in the anyhydrous potassium salt it is nearly eclipsed.
Compounds
Compounds containing the dithionate ion include:- sodium dithionateSodium dithionateFor the sterilizing agent, see sodium metabisulfite. For the reducing agent, see sodium dithionite.Sodium dithionate Na2S2O6 is an important compound for inorganic chemistry. It is also known under names disodium dithionate, sodium hyposulfate, and sodium metabisulfate...
, Na2S2O6 - potassium dithionate, K2S2O6
- barium dithionate, BaS2O6