Question

Which of the following ionic species exhibits more than one oxidation state for different atoms of same element?

• A. Dichromate ion
• B. Permanganate ion
• C. Tetrathionate ion
• D. Perchlorate ion

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Tetrathionate ion

Answer 2

In the tetrathionate ion ($\text{S}_4\text{O}_6^{2-}$), the sulfur atoms are in different chemical environments, exhibiting more than one oxidation state. Therefore, only the tetrathionate ion has sulfur atoms with different oxidation states.