Question

Disulfides are compounds that have S−S bonds, like peroxides have O−O bonds. Thiols are organic compounds that have the general formula R−SH, where R is a generic hydrocarbon. The SH- ion is the sulfur counterpart of hydroxide, OH-. Two thiols can react to make a disulfide, R−S−S−R.

a. What is the oxidation state of sulfur in a thiol?

Answer 1

The oxidation state of sulfur in a thiol is -2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The oxidation state of sulfur in a thiol is -2.

Thiols are organic compounds that have the general formula R−SH, where R represents a hydrocarbon group. In a thiols, the sulfur atom is bonded to a hydrogen atom, and hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1. Since the overall charge of the thiol is neutral, the oxidation state of sulfur must balance out the oxidation state of hydrogen.

For example, in methanethiol (CH3SH), the oxidation state of carbon is -3 (because hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 and there are three hydrogen atoms), and the oxidation state of sulfur is -2 (to balance out the -3 oxidation state of carbon and the +1 oxidation state of hydrogen).