What is the oxidation number of SO3?

1 Answer
Oct 24, 2015

There are generally two possible answer to the question:

Explanation:

The Oxidation states in SO3(g) are: Sulfur (+6) & Oxygen (-2), because SO3(g) has no charge.

However in #(SO_3)_2# - (aq) the Oxidation states are: Sulfur (+4) & Oxygen (-2).

Don't get the two confused, they may both be written without the charge, but if SO3 is (aq) it will have a charge of -2.