Question

Oxygen is divalent whereas sulphur exhibits a valency of 2, 4 or 6. This is due to :

• A. high electro negativity of oxygen than sulphur
• B. large size of sulphur atom
• C. high ionisation potential of oxygen
• D. availability of vacant d-orbitals in the valenc shell of sulphur

Answer 1

The correct option is D availability of vacant d-orbitals in the valenc shell of sulphur

$O:1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^4$
$S:\left[Ne\right]3s^{2}3p^{4}3d^0$
In sulphur, there is availability of vacant d-orbital but oxygen doesn't have vacant d-orbital.