hexathionate

Hexathionate refers to the hexathionate anion, S6O62-. It is a sulfur oxyanion and is the most stable of the polythionates under normal conditions. The hexathionate ion consists of six sulfur atoms linked in a chain, with each sulfur atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, resulting in a charge of -2. The structure can be visualized as O3S-S-S-S-S-SO3.

Hexathionate salts are generally soluble in water. The ion is typically formed through the reaction of thiosulfate with sulfur dichloride or thionyl chloride, or by the oxidation of lower polythionates. It can also be produced by the reaction of sulfur with alkaline solutions under specific conditions.

While hexathionate itself is not a common compound found in everyday life, its chemistry is of interest in areas such as inorganic sulfur chemistry and potentially in environmental processes involving sulfur cycling. It is a part of the larger family of polythionate ions, which feature a chain of sulfur atoms. The stability of the hexathionate ion allows for its study and characterization.