How to Draw the Lewis Structure for the Sulfate Ion

A step-by-step explanation of how to draw the SO4 2- Lewis Dot Structure (Sulfate ion).
For the SO4 2- structure use the periodic table to find the total number of valence electrons for the SO4 2- molecule. Once we know how many valence electrons there are in SO4 2- we can distribute them around the central atom with the goal of filling the outer shells of each atom.
In the Lewis structure of SO4 2- structure there are a total of 32 valence electrons. SO4 2- is also called Sulfate ion.
Note that SO4 2- can have an Expanded Octet and have more than eight valence electrons. Because of this there may be several possible Lewis Structures. To arrive at the most favorable Lewis Structure we need to consider formal charges. See how to calculate formal charges: • Formal Charges: Calcul...
Also note that you should put the SO4 2- Lewis structure in brackets with as 2- on the outside to show that it is an ion with a negative two charge.
---- Steps to Write Lewis Structure for compounds like SO4 2 ------
1. Find the total valence electrons for the SO4 2- molecule.
2. Put the least electronegative atom in the center. Note: Hydrogen (H) always goes outside.
3. Put two electrons between atoms to form a chemical bond.
4. Complete octets on outside atoms.
5. If central atom does not have an octet, move electrons from outer atoms to form double or triple bonds.
---- Lewis Resources ----
• Lewis Structures Made Simple: • How to Draw Lewis Stru...
• More practice: • Lewis Dot Structure Pr...
• Counting Valence Electrons: • Finding the Number of ...
• Calculating Formal Charge: • Formal Charges: Calcul...
• Exceptions to the Octet Rule: • Exceptions to the Octe...
Lewis Structures are important to learn because they help us understand how atoms and electrons are arranged in a molecule, such as Sulfate ion. This can help us determine the molecular geometry, how the molecule might react with other molecules, and some of the physical properties of the molecule (like boiling point and surface tension).
Chemistry help at www.Breslyn.org

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I slept through two 1hr 50 min lectures and it took you all of 4min and 18 seconds to bring me to understanding. If all classes were like this, I could obtain my bachelor's in a year's time.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad I could help with SO42- and all the best in your studies. --- Dr. B

[@kirosedky3272]

All teachers should start explaining like you. What an amazing explanation

[@gauravGupta-bk2sw]

Maybe we should just watch him 😅

[@wbreslyn]

In response the question by Minh ... Sulfur is in Period 16 (also called 6A). Therefore it has six valence electrons, not four. I think that should solve your problem. Note also that Sulfur is below Period Two on the Periodic Table so it can have an expanded octet (more than 8 valance electrons). --- Dr. B

[@jbm182]

Wayne Breslyn Thanks for the helpful videos! Just to make sure, in your comment, you said Sulfur is in Period 16. You meant group 16, right?

[@fabulousfab247]

Sir, what other elements than those under the period of 2, could hold more than 8 electrons? Can all elements under the period of 2 extend their octet? (°-°) And why can they extend more than 8? Sorry if I'm asking a lot, this wasn't discussed in our class.

[@babulroy3093]

Thanks, Dr.B, This is a very good presentation. However, I want to add the following for better understanding of the problem. "Elements which have vacant d-orbital can expand their octet by transferring electrons, which arise after unpairing, to these vacant d-orbital e.g. in sulphur. In the excited state, the sulphur has six unpaired electrons and shows a valency of six e.g. in SF6. Thus an element can show a maximum covalency equal to its group number, e.g. the sulphur shows maximum covalency of six." I hope I am correct. Thanks once again.

[@vivekgajare5049]

Yeah ok

[@MrCanadianrock123]

Because d orbitals are involved period 3 and below. Also, yes.. all elements period 3 and below can have an expanded octet.. not just sulfur. Cheers

[@mms2634]

I'm from Germany and our teachers explained the lewis structure completely different than you did but your way is much more simple, thanks it kinda helped

[@sylviacarreno8510]

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Me who's watching this video after 10 yrs😅

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11 years 😂

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Those dots are refreshing.

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Online chem is no joke. I'm so glad i have you Dr B or i would be a lost soul.

[@peacer34]

These are so helpful! Never stop teaching! I watch these after my chem class and they're so helpful every time. youre a life saver!

[@wbreslyn]

That's a great learning strategy to watch them after class! --- Dr.B

[@icorolic2012]

You are the best teacher ever!!! Never have I seen a teacher this good

[@wbreslyn]

Thank you! Most appreciated. --- Dr. B

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Bro!...thnks alot...you did what our professor was not able to do for hours:-)

[@wbreslyn]

Happy to help!

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[@wbreslyn]

Excellent!

[@nguyenminhvu752]

If my teacher taught legibly and lightly like you, my Chemistry result would be better than now. ''' Any way, thank you, Dr.B . You get my inspiration up :)

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Glad I could help! --- Dr. B

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[@mimm4332]

Wow these are advanced Lewis structure examples! Thank you for sharing!

[@wbreslyn]

You are right, SO42- is a bit of work with the formal charges! --- Dr. B

[@AnuragKumar-lj1jr]

You have explained in a good way👍

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@iamlavkush_]

Trick : Oxygen with a single bond has always -1 formal charge Oxygen with double bond has 0 formal charge Oxygen with triple bond has +1 formal charge

[@s4umyy4]

Pls tell me there's no exception and this works for all

[@hunadishabz1238]

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[@wbreslyn]

Thanks for kind words and encouragement! --- Dr. B

[@aayeshak4812]

Thankyouuuuuuuu....sooooo. muchhhhhh...... finally I know what is lewic structure....thankuuuu

[@DetectiveConaN3]

excellent job Dr. B, i would otherwise be unable to understand why some other lewis structures are out of my expectations

[@conanobrian8580]

That was great. I saw that sulphur and oxygen are on group 6a so i couldn't comprehend where the 2 extra electrons came from. Now i realize you have to consider valence electron capacity. its a new can of worms to consider, but you set me on the right path for comprehension; thanks!

[@conanobrian8580]

just rewatched your video. I think its a matter of understanding the rules for bonding and non-binding to get your ionic charges.

[@wbreslyn]

Yep, you got it!

[@nigar16khan]

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[@TheRainbow54321]

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[@wbreslyn]

You are most welcome! --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

KING COBRA Thanks, King Cobra. Glad I could help! --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

Excellent! --- Dr. B

[@MrHaducken]

Thank you very much! Greetings from Brazil!

[@wbreslyn]

No problem! Glad I could help with the sulfate ion! --- Dr. B

[@Spirat-cs2ip]

Amazing explanation, thnku soo much

[@wbreslyn]

Thank you!

[@ismailalhassan1381]

i found this educating in a more simpler way. thanks

[@sarapixton7094]

Your videos are so straightforward and helpful. My new favorite Chem study aid! Thank you!

[@wbreslyn]

Happy to hear that!

[@salikiqbal8908]

Thank you. You made it easier for me to understand.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad I could help with SO4 2- , it can be a challenging Lewis Structure. --- Dr. B

[@hallowedbethygame2840]

You provide a great resource with these videos! Thank you for posting :)

[@annamachl6276]

Thanks Dr.b.I was actually misunderstood.Now I'm all cleared.

[@wbreslyn]

Excellent, glad I could help! --- Dr. B

[@mariacristinaribeirobatist404]

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[@wbreslyn]

You're very welcome!

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[@raminmajid3974]

Thank you very much for explaining some complicated topics

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, SO42- is a bit involved to write the Lewis Structure . --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

Thanks! --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

You are most welcome! --- Dr. B

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I understood it immediately.

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[@wbreslyn]

Nice! --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

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[@pravini]

Bruh my teacher didn’t teach formal charges but expects us to know how to draw Lewis structures properly. Anyway tysm!!!

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[@wbreslyn]

Thanks! --- Dr. B

[@guilleport]

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[@smitasingh9279]

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[@magito74]

Thank you again professor!!

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, glad I could help! --- Dr. B

[@aayeshak4812]

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[@maromj2956]

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[@Ayanok0jikiyotoka]

Can't get it ...

[@wbreslyn]

Hi Rayma. Any element in Period Three (row three) on the Periodic Table can have an expanded octet. Sulfur is in Period Three so it can have more than eight valence electrons. In the SO4 2- Lewis structure Sulfur has an expanded octet in order for the formal charges to work out. - Dr. B

[@NicholeHerrin1994]

Thanks! You explained it very well!

[@alexmccann101]

This video was extremely helpful, thank you!

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, glad I could help with SO4 2- ! --- Dr. B

[@renukharam2117]

Thank you Dr. B!

[@shreyawankhede8813]

thanks ,nice explanation

[@wbreslyn]

You are welcome! --- Dr. B

[@NAupdatescom]

Thank you sir it helps me too much please make videos on knowing stablity

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[@md.fahimshahriar3115]

S(16)= 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3px2 3py1 3pz1 We can see that S has two lone pair electrons. Why we didn't count those?

[@melmel70992]

Really good!

[@medina1371]

Very helpful! Thanks

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, glad I could help with the sulfate ion! --- Dr. B

[@StarSplitter87]

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[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, I have been working growing my hair out like Bob R.. --- Dr. B

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[@wbreslyn]

Most welcome 😊

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[@LovinBabu]

Thank you very much!

[@wbreslyn]

You’re welcome! ---Dr. B

[@Mayank_Agarwal_]

Best explanation Thnq

[@wbreslyn]

You are welcome!

[@veronika111100]

Great video but I'd like to suggest that more contrasting colours be used other than dark green and blue hard to tell the difference, although it is easier in full screen mode!

[@RoshDivaSelenator]

For the SO4 molecule with all single bonds, only 4 of the valence electrons of sulphur are participating in bonding right? One for each oxygen atom. So won't the number of non-bonding valence electrons for sulphur be 2? Also, in the sulphur oxygen double bond, three of the shared electrons are from oxygen? Only one is from sulphur?

[@RoshDivaSelenator]

Rosh Varghese Another question - if none of the valence electrons of oxygen participate in bonding, where does the other electron in the covalent single bond between oxygen and sulphur come from?

[@BASAVAREDDYBBassu]

Thanku so much sir really i understand

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, SO42- is one of my favorite ions. --- Dr. B

[@IgnoreTheSigns]

Would this not also require several resonance structures to show that the double bonds could be either on the side oxygens or the top and bottom oxygens or a top and side oxygen etc?

[@wbreslyn]

Yep, that would be the case here. Also note that drawing the structure with only single bonds also is a viable resonance structure as well - however it's not as important as the others you mentioned since it's formal charges are higher. - Dr. B

[@fuadqafarli]

Thank u very much!!!❤

[@wbreslyn]

You are most welcome!

[@cjabuan6972]

What is it’s Electron Group Geometry? Shape? And is it polar or non-polar?

[@wbreslyn]

Here's a start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGSVo5Rrrs96ZtU (shape) kzbin.info/www/bejne/enSVgGZjqKZpbqM (polarity)

[@nooralhudaalash4393]

Omg you are so good really thanks a lot ♥

[@amanda4970]

It really helps me get it what the structure of So4-. thx XD

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Your a lifesaver :)

[@renuga2007]

Will the teacher approve the first method? I think it will be too complicated for my son

[@AlishaNic]

He has a very soothing voice, he should do asmr.

[@Eclipsedcomet]

I really need help, In the first structure where all are single bonds, Is that a valid Lewis dot structure, And if it is a valid Lewis dot structure, then will the other structure be a resonating structure of it?

[@kamiojay]

You're the best thank you so much!!!!

[@taylorpipkin8175]

I had a chemistry test recently where I had to do the Lewis Structure for Sulfate. I thought that was a really easy question as I had watched this video the day before, so I drew the sulfate as it was in this video and my teacher marked it incorrect. Is my teacher correct or mislead?

[@wbreslyn]

It's likely they didn't take into account formal charge. Your best defense is to show them the structure with the two double bonds from a respected source (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfate works well or pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sulfate). --- Dr. B

[@mimm4332]

great video!!!!

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks! --- Dr. B

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[@maxshability4622]

thx a lot， i undersrand now

[@wbreslyn]

Excellent! SO4 2- is an important ion. --- Dr. B

[@myfightsinfreefire9460]

Is that coordination bond exist

[@safronbarith1241]

Thank u.....🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@wbreslyn]

No problem 😊

[@valencedroust7081]

1:25 sorry i don't understand, Isn't there are two electrons not involved in bonds?

[@valencedroust7081]

S have 6 VE and it only form 4 bonds with O

[@wbreslyn]

Here there are two double bonds and two single bonds on the S. So it has an expanded octet with 12 total electrons.

[@valencedroust7081]

Thxx you I understand now

[@MohammedMisbahuddinOSMEC]

Superb! Thanx!

[@mausambhavnani739]

Thanks again

[@wbreslyn]

No problem!

[@about234ninjas6]

do you know What is the formal charge of the central atom in the Lewis structure of SO42- that obeys the octet rule?

[@wbreslyn]

S can have expanded octets so it doesn't have to obey the octet rule. Exceptions to the Octet Rule: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epzNXoaDd7GEsK8

[@mattbutler7683]

+Wayne Breslyn, what is the difference between formal charge and net charge. For instance when we talk about Oxygen being 2- what is that defined as formal net or is that an ion?