Sulfate Lewis Structure

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Jade Corpus-Sapida 1G
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:02 am

Sulfate Lewis Structure

Postby Jade Corpus-Sapida 1G » Sat May 19, 2018 9:35 pm

I have a question about the sulfate lewis structure that was in the 5/11/18 notes. The TA's did an example with sulfate and I was wondering if there are other resonance structures associated with it. For example, in sulfate they wrote that there are 2 single bonds and 2 double bonds. The 2 double bonds were written on the right and bottom of sulfur attached to oxygen. Could there be a resonance structure where it is mirrored (double bond on left and top of sulfur)? I hope my question makes sense.

MeghetyManoyan1A
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:03 am

Re: Sulfate Lewis Structure

Postby MeghetyManoyan1A » Sat May 19, 2018 9:41 pm

Yes, there can be a resonance structure for this, as you can vary the placement/rotate the bonds.

Moris 1H
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:01 am

Re: Sulfate Lewis Structure

Postby Moris 1H » Sun May 20, 2018 3:44 pm

Formal charge can identify the correct lewis structure when there are multiple options as you said. The one that doesn't break the octet rule (unless it has an expansion octet) and that has a formal charge closest to 0 or exactly 0 is the most stable structure.


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