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NEET 2020 Chemistry Question 101 Solution

Topic: The p-Block Elements (Group 16) · Official NTA Booklet Code E1
NEET 2020 Chemistry Question 101: Oxoacids of Sulphur: Peroxide Linkage (-O-O-) in Peroxodisulphuric Acid (H2S2O8)

Question

Which of the following oxoacid of sulphur has −O−O− linkage?

✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (3) : H2S2O8, peroxodisulphuric acid
📚 The p-Block Elements (Group 16) Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Structural Motif Peroxide linkage (-O-O- bond)
Chemical Family Oxoacids of sulphur
Candidate Compounds H2SO3, H2SO4, H2S2O8, H2S2O7
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ "PEROXO-disulphuric Acid (H2S2O8, Marshall's Acid) Contains -O-O- Linkage!"

⏱️ 20 seconds

The name itself gives it away: "PEROXO"-disulphuric acid (H2S2O8H_2S_2O_8, Marshall's acid) contains a peroxy bridge (HO3S−O−O−SO3HHO_3S-O-O-SO_3H) between the two sulphur atoms! Pyrosulphuric acid (H2S2O7H_2S_2O_7, oleum) contains an -S-O-S- bridge. Mark H2S2O8 (Option 3) in 5 seconds!

1 Check prefix: "Peroxo" denotes the presence of a peroxide linkage (-O-O-).
2 Formula of Marshall's acid = H2S2O8 (Peroxodisulphuric acid).
3 Structure: HO-SO2-O-O-SO2-OH (contains one -O-O- bond).
4 H2S2O7 (oleum) has S-O-S bond; H2SO4 has no peroxy bond; H2SO3 has S=O, S-OH.
5 Select Option (3) H2S2O8, peroxodisulphuric acid.
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Chemistry · The p-Block Elements (Group 16: Oxoacids of Sulphur)
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Analyze Chemical Structures of Sulphur Oxoacids

Sulphur forms several oxoacids where sulphur exhibits tetrahedral coordination with oxygen: 1. Sulphurous acid (H2SO3\text{H}_2\text{SO}_3): Contains one S=O\text{S}=\text{O}, two S−OH\text{S}-\text{OH}, and one lone pair (oxidation state +4). 2. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4): Contains two S=O\text{S}=\text{O} and two S−OH\text{S}-\text{OH} bonds (oxidation state +6).

Step 2

Analyze Pyrosulphuric Acid (Oleum, H2S2O7)

Pyrosulphuric acid (H2S2O7\text{H}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_7) contains two SO3H\text{SO}_3\text{H} groups linked through a single oxygen bridge: HO−SO2−O−SO2−OH\text{HO}-\text{SO}_2-\text{O}-\text{SO}_2-\text{OH}. It has an S−O−S\text{S}-\text{O}-\text{S} linkage, NOT a peroxide linkage.

Step 3

Analyze Peroxodisulphuric Acid (H2S2O8)

Peroxodisulphuric acid (Marshall's acid, H2S2O8\text{H}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_8) is formed by joining two sulphuric acid moieties through a peroxy (peroxide) bridge: HO−SO2−O−O−SO2−OH\text{HO}-\text{SO}_2-\text{O}-\text{O}-\text{SO}_2-\text{OH} The two central oxygen atoms are covalently linked by an -O-O-\text{-O-O-} single bond, each having an oxidation state of −1-1, allowing both sulphur atoms to retain the maximum +6 oxidation state.

Step 4

Conclude Correct Option

Therefore, H2S2O8\text{H}_2\text{S}_2\text{O}_8 uniquely possesses the -O-O-\text{-O-O-} peroxide linkage.

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 A
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; sulphurous acid contains only S=O and S-OH bonds without any peroxy linkage.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Random choice.
2 B
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; sulphuric acid contains two S=O and two S-OH bonds, no peroxy linkage.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing standard oxoacid with peroxoacid.
3 C
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Factually and structurally exact; Marshall's acid (H2S2O8H_2S_2O_8) contains a central peroxy -O-O-\text{-O-O-} linkage.

💡
Why this is airtight: None; famous oxoacid structure.
4 D
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; pyrosulphuric acid (oleum) contains an S−O−S\text{S}-\text{O}-\text{S} bridging linkage, not an -O-O-\text{-O-O-} linkage.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing pyrosulphuric acid (H2S2O7H_2S_2O_7, S-O-S) with peroxodisulphuric acid (H2S2O8H_2S_2O_8, S-O-O-S).
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Oleum (H2S2O7) vs Marshall's Acid (H2S2O8)

- H2S2O7H_2S_2O_7 (Pyrosulphuric acid / Oleum) has an S-O-S linkage. - H2S2O8H_2S_2O_8 (Peroxodisulphuric acid / Marshall's acid) has an -O-O- (peroxy) linkage.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Look at the oxygen count: 7 oxygens = S-O-S; 8 oxygens = S-O-O-S (Peroxy)!
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Chemistry · The p-Block Elements Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

""

Syllabus Focus: Oxoacids of Sulphur: Peroxide Linkage (-O-O-) in Peroxodisulphuric Acid (H2S2O8)
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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