central atoms with more than 4 bonds

[leediane0916]

yesterday in class dr lavelle drew the SO4 2- atom's lewis structure and said that it is most accurate when the central atom (s) has two double bonds and two single bonds, which represents 12 electrons - how does that work?

[ChathuriGunasekera1D]

S has 6 valence electrons so it's allowed to make two double bonds (takes 4 electrons) and two single bonds (takes 2 electrons). You want the central atom to have as few lone pairs as possible for stability purposes, that's why S makes some double bonds too

[Courtney McHargue 1I]

Lavelle said that elements in the third period and below are able to hold more than 8 valence electrons and stay stable. Since sulfur (S) is in the third period it can follow this rule, which is why it can hold 12 electrons.

[Letizia Ye 4F]

Since sulfur is a p-block element, it's able to have an expanded octet, since it has more room in its energy level to form other bonds.