Question

How many structures are possible for ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_5$?

Answer 1

Peroxymonosulfuric acid:

1. It is an inorganic acid with two OH groups and two double-bonded oxygen atoms connected to the Sulfur atom.
2. Oxidation number of Sulfur in ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_5$ be x.
3. Oxidation number $=2\times 1+\mathrm{x}+5(-2)\Rightarrow 0,\mathrm{x}=8$
4. The oxidation number of sulfur$=8$ but the oxidation number of sulfur cannot be more than $6$.
5. Here we have one $\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O}$ i.e. peroxide bond so out of $5$ oxygen $2$ will have a $-1$ charge
6. Now oxidation number of sulfur = 6
7. Sulfur in ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_5$ is ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$hybridized having tetrahedral geometry.

Therefore, only one structure is possible for ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_5$.