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Chapter 22: Problem 48

Explain why sulfur can occur naturally as sulfates, but not as sulfites.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The answer lies in understanding the oxygenation states. Sulfur in +6 state (as in sulfates) is stable and can't be easily reduced. However, the +4 state in sulfites is not stable as it can be easily oxidized to +6, hence, they easily convert to sulfates and are not found naturally.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Chemical Behavior of Sulfur

The valency of sulfur in sulfate is +6 and in sulfite +4. Sulfur's most stable state is +6 which is found in naturally occurring sulfates.
02

Explain Sulfur Stability in Sulfates

Being in the +6 oxidation state, sulfur in sulfates is in a stable state and it cannot be easily reduced which makes sulfates stable and hence they naturally occur.
03

Explain Sulfur Stability in Sulfites

Sulfur in 4+ state (as in sulfites) is not stable as it can be easily oxidized to +6. Thus, sulfites are not naturally found since they can easily convert into sulfates.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Give an appropriate name to each of the following compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{ZnS} ;\) (b) \(\mathrm{KHSO}_{3} ;\) (c) \(\mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3} ;\) (d) \(\mathrm{SF}_{4}\).

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