How do you draw the Lewis structure of SO₄²⁻?

SO₄²⁻ has 32 valence electrons. Sulfur is central, bonded to four oxygens. Four single bonds use 8 electrons; 24 remain. Each O gets 3 lone pairs (6 electrons x 4 = 24). All 24 remaining electrons used. S has a full octet from 4 bonds.

Lewis Structure of SO₄²⁻ (Sulfate)

What is the Lewis structure of SO₄²⁻?

SO₄²⁻ has 32 valence electrons, 4 bonding electron pairs, and 12 lone pairs. SO₄²⁻ has 32 valence electrons. Eight are in four S-O single bonds, and 24 form 3 lone pairs on each oxygen. In the octet-following structure, S has FC = +2 and each O has FC = -1. Some textbooks use double bonds (expanded octet) to reduce formal charges.

Lewis structure of SO₄²⁻ (Sulfate)

Formula	SO₄²⁻
Name	Sulfate
Total Valence Electrons	32
Lone Pairs	12
Has Resonance	No
Concept	Polyatomic Ion
Difficulty	Advanced

Step 1: Count Valence Electrons

S has 6, each O has 6, plus 2 for the charge: 6 + 4(6) + 2 = 32.

Step 2: Draw the Skeleton

Sulfur is central, bonded to four oxygens. Four single bonds use 8 electrons; 24 remain.

Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs

Each O gets 3 lone pairs (6 electrons x 4 = 24). All 24 remaining electrons used. S has a full octet from 4 bonds.

Step 4: Form Multiple Bonds

The octet-following structure uses all single bonds. Expanded octet versions with S=O double bonds exist but are debated in introductory courses.

Step 5: Check Formal Charges

S: FC = 6 - 0 - ½(8) = +2
O: FC = 6 - 6 - ½(2) = -1 (each)
Net: +2 + 4(-1) = -2, matching the ion charge.

Interactive Lewis structure builder with guided walkthroughs and practice quizzes.

Build the SO₄²⁻ Lewis Structure Step by Step