sulfaatrühmast

The sulfate group, often written as SO4^2-, is a polyatomic anion. It consists of a central sulfur atom covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms. The overall charge of the group is -2. In many compounds, the sulfur atom is in its +6 oxidation state. Sulfate ions are tetrahedral in geometry, with the sulfur atom at the center and the oxygen atoms at the vertices of the tetrahedron.

Sulfate groups are common in inorganic chemistry and are found in a wide variety of salts, such as sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), and barium sulfate (BaSO4). Calcium sulfate, for instance, is known as gypsum and is used in construction. Barium sulfate is insoluble in water and is used as a contrast agent in medical imaging.

In organic chemistry, sulfate esters are formed when the sulfate group bridges between two organic groups or between an organic group and a hydrogen atom. These compounds are important in biochemistry, where the phosphate group is often confused with the sulfate group due to their similar charges and structures, although the sulfate group contains sulfur while the phosphate group contains phosphorus. Sulfates also play a role in environmental processes, such as acid rain.