Question

Do you expect the compound Na4S to be a stable sulfur compound? Explain why or why not. Select the correct answer below: A. Yes, because sulfur is significantly more electronegative than sodium, so it can ionize sodium. B. Yes, because sodium is significantly more electronegative than sulfur, so it can ionize sulfur. C. No, because sulfur does not typically form negative ions or oxidation states less than 2−. The binary compound formed by sulfur and sodium is Na2S. D. No, because elemental sulfur is not a strong enough oxidation agent to oxidize sodium.

Answer 1

Answer:

No, because sulfur does not typically form negative ions or oxidation states less than 2−. The binary compound formed by sulfur and sodium is Na2S

Explanation:

Sulphur is a member of group 16. The oxidation states expected for sulphur in group 16 are -1, -2, +1, +2,+3,+4,+5 or +6. The elements of group 16 usually form negative ions with oxidation number of -2. They do not typically form negative ions with oxidation state less than -2.

The implication of this is that we actually do not expect the existence of a compound in which sulphur forms an S^4- anion. In reality, such an anion does not exist. Rather a binary compound of sulphur and sodium will have the formula Na2S because it contains the S^2- anion.