Question

Select the resonance structure(s) that contributes most to the structure of SO32–.

a) I and III
b) II and IV
c) I, II, and III
d) III and IV

Answer 1

The most contributing resonance structures for SO32- are those that equally distribute the negative charge among all oxygen atoms, respecting the principles of minimal formal charges and full octets.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to determining which resonance structures most contribute to the actual structure of the sulfite ion (SO32-).

In general, the preferred resonance structures are those that minimize formal charges, maximize the number of full octets, and distribute negative charge on more electronegative atoms.

For SO32-, all oxygen atoms are equivalent, and the resonance structures that equally distribute the negative charge among the oxygen atoms are favored. Therefore, structures that show a single sulfur-oxygen double bond and two sulfur-oxygen single bonds with corresponding negative charges on the oxygen atoms are all equivalent and contribute equally to the resonance hybrid. Since the question does not explicitly provide the structures labeled I to IV, it's difficult to definitively choose the correct answer without seeing these structures. However, following the principles above, the primary contributors would be the ones showing an equal distribution of negative charge across the oxygen atoms.