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To determine the valence number, look at electron configurations which denote the number of electrons in the different energy levels and orbitals. Neutral sulfur has 16 electrons because its atomic number is 16.
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost principal quantum level of an atom. Sometimes, the outermost energy level is called the valence shell. The outer energy level in this atom is n = 3. It holds six electrons, so sulfur has six valence electrons.
Sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and chlorine are common examples of elements that form an expanded octet. Phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are examples of molecules that deviate from the octet rule by having more than 8 electrons around the central atom.
Sulfur has one more electron pair in its 3s subshell so it can undergo excitation one more time and place the electron in another empty 3d orbital. Now sulfur has 6 unpaired electrons which means it can form 6 covalent bonds to give a total of 12 electrons around its valence shell.
For neutral atoms, the number of valence electrons is equal to the atom’s main group number. The main group number for an element can be found from its column on the periodic table. For example, carbon is in group 4 and has 4 valence electrons. Oxygen is in group 6 and has 6 valence electrons.
Sulfur has 6 valence electrons located in its outermost orbit. When looking at the sulfur atom, it contains 16 total electrons.
The valence shell (the 3s and 3p sublevels) contains six electrons, but it needs eight to become stable. Think of the octet rule. Therefore a sulfur atom will gain two electrons to form the sulfide anion with a charge of 2−, with the symbol S2−.
Valence electrons are found in the orbitals associated with an atom’s highest occupied energy level. The remaining electrons, which are called inner shell electrons, do not participate in bonding and are, therefore, not important to study. Therefore, sulfur has 6 valence electrons.
The electronic configuration of sulfur is (S) [Ne] 3s1. So in order to achieve stability, sulfur has to gain 2 electrons. Therefore, the valency of sulphur is 2. Few sulphur compounds such as so2, SO3, etc, have a valency of 6.
More Than an Octet of Electrons. The octet rule is based on the fact that each valence orbital (typically, one ns and three np orbitals) can accommodate only two electrons. To accommodate more than eight electrons, sulfur must be using not only the ns and np valence orbitals but additional orbitals as well.
Sulfur has one more electron pair in its 3s subshell so it can undergo excitation one more time and place the electron in another empty 3d orbital. Now sulfur has 6 unpaired electrons which means it can form 6 covalent bonds to give a total of 12 electrons around its valence shell.
octet rule: Atoms lose, gain, or share electrons in order to have a full valence shell of eight electrons. Hydrogen is an exception because it can hold a maximum of two electrons in its valence level.
Sulfur, like oxygen, frequently forms two bonds.
Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water.
Table of Common Element Charges
Number | Element | Charge |
---|---|---|
16 | sulfur | 2-, 2+, 4+, 6+ |
17 | chlorine | 1- |
18 | argon | |
19 | potassium | 1+ |