Sulfur oxyanions

thumb|right|A space-filling model of the sulfite anion. Sulfites or sulphites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion (systematic name: sulfate(IV) ion), . The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although its acid (sulfurous acid) is elusive, its salts are widely used.

Thiosulfate (IUPAC-recommended spelling; sometimes thiosulphate in British English) is an oxyanion of sulfur with the chemical formula . Thiosulfate also refers to the compounds containing this anion, which are the salts of thiosulfuric acid, such as sodium thiosulfate () and ammonium thiosulfate (). Thiosulfate salts occur naturally. Thiosulfate rapidly dechlorinates water, and is used to halt bleaching in the paper-making industry. Thiosulfate salts are mainly used for dyeing in textiles, and bleaching of natural substances.

The sulfate or sulphate ion is a polyatomic anion with the empirical formula . Salts, acid derivatives, and peroxides of sulfate are widely used in industry. Sulfates occur widely in everyday life. Sulfates are salts of sulfuric acid and many are prepared from that acid.

The dithionate (or metabisulfate) anion, , is a sulfur oxoanion derived from dithionic acid, H2S2O6. Its chemical formula is sometimes written in a semistructural format, as [O3SSO3]2−. It is the first member of the polythionates.

A disulfite, commonly known as metabisulfite or pyrosulfite, is a chemical compound containing the ion . It is a colorless dianion that is primarily marketed in the form of sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite. When dissolved in water, these salts release the hydrogensulfite anion. These salts act equivalently to sodium hydrogensulfite or potassium hydrogensulfite.

The peroxydisulfate ion, '''', is an oxyanion, the anion of peroxydisulfuric acid. It is commonly referred to as persulfate, but this term also refers to the peroxomonosulfate ion, . It is also called peroxodisulfate''. Approximately 500,000 tons of salts containing this anion are produced annually. Important salts include sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8), potassium persulfate (K2S2O8), and ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8). These salts are colourless, water-soluble solids that are strong oxidants.

thumb|right|200px|The structure of the tetrathionate anion

thumb|right|Chemical structure of the disulfate anion

A persulfate (sometimes known as peroxysulfate or peroxodisulfate) is a compound containing the anions or . The anion contains one peroxide group per sulfur center, whereas in , the peroxide group bridges the sulfur atoms. In both cases, sulfur adopts the normal tetrahedral geometry typical for the S(VI) oxidation state. These salts are strong oxidizers.

thumb|right|200px|The unusual structure of the dithionite anion. It has a remarkably long sulfur-sulfur bond.

The peroxomonosulfate ion, , is a sulfur oxoanion. It is sometimes referred to as the persulfate ion, but this term also refers to the peroxydisulfate ion, .

Trithionate is an oxyanion of sulfur with the chemical formula . It is the conjugate base of trithionic acid. Dilute sodium hydroxide hydrolyzes tetrasulfur tetranitride| as follows, yielding sodium thiosulfate and sodium trithionate:

thumb|right|150px|General structure of a thiosulfinate ester, drawn in expanded octet style