The oxidation state of sulphur in the anions follow the order

Options

A. `S_2O_4^(2) lt SO_(3)^(2-) lt S_2O_6^(2-)`
B. `SO_3^(2) lt S_2O_(4)^(2-) lt S_2O_6^(2-)`
C. `S_2O_4^(2) lt S_2O_(6)^(2-) lt SO_3^(2-)`
D. `S_2O_6^(2) lt S_2O_(4)^(2-) lt SO_3^(2-)`

Answer

To determine the oxidation state of sulfur in the given anions and establish their order, we will analyze each anion step by step.

### Step 1: Analyze the first anion, S2O4^2−
1. Let the oxidation state of sulfur be \( x \).
2. There are 2 sulfur atoms, so their contribution is \( 2x \).
3. There are 4 oxygen atoms, and each oxygen has an oxidation state of -2, contributing \( 4 \times (-2) = -8 \).
4. The overall charge of the anion is -2.

Setting up the equation:
\[ 2x - 8 = -2 \]

### Step 2: Solve for \( x \) in S2O4^2−
1. Rearranging the equation gives:
\[ 2x = -2 + 8 \]
\[ 2x = 6 \]
2. Dividing both sides by 2:
\[ x = +3 \]

### Step 3: Analyze the second anion, SO3^2−
1. Let the oxidation state of sulfur be \( x \).
2. There is 1 sulfur atom, so its contribution is \( x \).
3. There are 3 oxygen atoms, contributing \( 3 \times (-2) = -6 \).
4. The overall charge of the anion is -2.

Setting up the equation:
\[ x - 6 = -2 \]

### Step 4: Solve for \( x \) in SO3^2−
1. Rearranging the equation gives:
\[ x = -2 + 6 \]
\[ x = +4 \]

### Step 5: Analyze the third anion, S2O6^2−
1. Let the oxidation state of sulfur be \( x \).
2. There are 2 sulfur atoms, so their contribution is \( 2x \).
3. There are 6 oxygen atoms, contributing \( 6 \times (-2) = -12 \).
4. The overall charge of the anion is -2.

Setting up the equation:
\[ 2x - 12 = -2 \]

### Step 6: Solve for \( x \) in S2O6^2−
1. Rearranging the equation gives:
\[ 2x = -2 + 12 \]
\[ 2x = 10 \]
2. Dividing both sides by 2:
\[ x = +5 \]

### Step 7: Summarize the oxidation states
- For S2O4^2−, the oxidation state of sulfur is +3.
- For SO3^2−, the oxidation state of sulfur is +4.
- For S2O6^2−, the oxidation state of sulfur is +5.

### Step 8: Establish the order of oxidation states
The order of oxidation states of sulfur in the anions is:
\[ S2O6^{2-} (+5) > SO3^{2-} (+4) > S2O4^{2-} (+3) \]

### Final Answer
The oxidation state of sulfur in the anions follows the order:
\[ S2O6^{2-} > SO3^{2-} > S2O4^{2-} \]

---