So4 -2 Lewis [cracked] Info
To the other two Oxygens, he gave single bonds but with a heavy heart: "You will carry the negative charge for the team."
Sulfur’s eyes lit up. "Of course!"
But there was a problem. When Sulfur tried to share a single pair of electrons with each Oxygen (making four single bonds), he ran out of electrons. He was left with a miserable +4 formal charge, and each Oxygen had a -1 charge. The structure was unstable, like a table with three legs. so4 -2 lewis
He summoned two of the Oxygen atoms. "You two," he said, "will share double bonds with me." To the other two Oxygens, he gave single
And so, ( \text{SO}_4^{2-} ) became the most stable, famous, and well-respected ion in the valley. It was the backbone of gypsum, Epsom salts, and bathtub relaxation. He was left with a miserable +4 formal