Sulfur (S):
Maximum oxidation number for sulfur: +6
Example compound: Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6)
In SF6, sulfur has an oxidation number of +6 because each of the six fluorine atoms contributes an oxidation number of -1, and the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal the charge of the ion, which is 0 in this case.
Minimum oxidation number for sulfur: -2
Example compound: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
In H2S, sulfur has an oxidation number of -2 because hydrogen typically has an oxidation number of +1, and the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal 0 for a neutral compound.
Chlorine (Cl):
Maximum oxidation number for chlorine: +7
Example compound: Perchloric Acid (HClO4)
In HClO4, chlorine has an oxidation number of +7 because each of the four oxygen atoms contributes an oxidation number of -2, and the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal the charge of the ion, which is 0 in this case.
Minimum oxidation number for chlorine: -1
Example compound: Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
In NaCl, chlorine has an oxidation number of -1 because sodium typically has an oxidation number of +1, and the sum of the oxidation numbers must equal 0 for a neutral compound.
These examples illustrate the maximum and minimum oxidation numbers for sulfur and chlorine in common compounds.