View source for Dithionate

[[Image:Dithionate-2D-dimensions.png|thumb|right|200px|The structure of the dithionate anion]]
[[Image:Dithionate-3D-balls.png|thumb|right|200px|A [[ball-and-stick model]] of the dithionate anion]]
The '''dithionate''' [[anion]], S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub><sup>2−</sup>, is a [[sulfur]] [[oxyanion|oxoanion]] derived from ''dithionic acid'', H<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>.  Its [[chemical formula]] is sometimes written in a semistructural format, as [O<sub>3</sub>SSO<sub>3</sub>]<sup>2−</sup>.

The sulfur atoms of the dithionate ion are in the +5 [[oxidation state]] due to the presence of the S-S bond. Generally dithionates form stable compounds that are not readily oxidised or reduced. Strong oxidants oxidise them to [[sulfate]]s and strong reducing agents reduce them to [[sulfite]]s and [[dithionite]]s<ref name = greenwood>{{Greenwood&Earnshaw}}</ref>. Aqueous solutions of dithionates are quite stable and can be boiled without decomposition <ref> {{Cotton&Wilkinson6th}}</ref>.<br />
The γ irradiation of crystalline dithionates  produces SO<sub>3</sub><sup><nowiki>&minus;</nowiki></sup> [[radical (chemistry)|radical]] ions<ref>''Radiation Chemistry of Dithionates'' G.S. Murthy, R.L. Eager, and K.J. McCallum Can. J. Chem. 49(22),(1971), 3733</ref>. The unpaired electron in the SO<sub>3</sub><sup><nowiki>&minus;</nowiki></sup> [[radical (chemistry)|radical]] can be detected with [[electron paramagnetic resonance]] and barium dithionate has been proposed as the basis for a radiation [[dosimetry|dosimeter]]<ref>''Barium dithionate as an EPR dosemeter'' Baran M.P., Bugay O.A., Kolesnik S. P.,  Maksimenko V. M., Teslenko V. V.,  Petrenko T. L. Desrosiers M. F. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 2006 120, 202; {{doi|10.1093/rpd/nci531}}</ref> 
The dithionate ion can act as a bidentate [[ligand]] <ref>''Structures of Some Copper (II) Complexes Containing S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub><sup>2<nowiki>&minus;</nowiki></sup> Ion''  Ishii M. Bulletin of the Yamagata University 5, 1,(2001), 7 </ref>.<br />
The structure of the dithionate ion in the solid state is staggered in Na<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>.2H<sub>2</sub>O whereas in the anyhydrous potassium salt it is nearly eclipsed<ref name = greenwood />.

==Compounds==
Compounds containing the dithionate ion include:

* [[sodium dithionate]], Na<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>
* [[potassium dithionate]], K<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>
* [[barium dithionate]], BaS<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|dithionates}}


[[category:dithionates|*]]
[[Category:Sulfur oxoanions]]
[[Category:anions]]

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