Question

In the cyclo-$S_8$ molecule of rhombic sulphur, all the $S-S$ bond lengths and all the $S-S-S$ bond angles are respectively (give approximate values):

• A. $204$ pm and ${105}^{\circ }$
• B. $102$ pm and ${120}^{\circ }$
• C. $204$ pm and ${180}^{\circ }$
• D. $102$ pm and ${60}^{\circ }$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $204$ pm and ${105}^{\circ }$

There is a single bond between each pair of $S$ atoms and two non-bonding electron pairs on each $S$ atom.Thus we see four electron domains around each $S$ atom and we would expect a tetrahedral geometry corresponding to $s{p}^3$ hybridisation which gives us the bond angle around ${109}^0$.