Sulfate

Sulfate is the polyatomic ion SO₄²⁻, consisting of one sulfur atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. The name also applies to salts containing this ion, derived from sulfuric acid.

Sulfuric acid: Sulfuric acid is a strong diprotic acid with the formula H₂SO₄. Losing both acidic protons produces the sulfate ion.
Tetrahedral molecular geometry: Tetrahedral molecular geometry places four bonding directions around a central atom at approximately 109.5-degree angles. The four oxygen atoms occupy the corners around sulfur in sulfate.
Gypsum: Gypsum is the mineral calcium sulfate dihydrate, CaSO₄·2H₂O. It is a widespread sulfate mineral used in plaster and drywall.
Sulfate-reducing microorganisms: Sulfate-reducing microorganisms use sulfate as an electron acceptor and produce reduced sulfur compounds. Their metabolism removes sulfate from anoxic environments and generates sulfide.
Sulfur: Sulfur is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and symbol S. Its +6 oxidation state is central to sulfate’s composition.
Resonance (chemistry): Resonance describes a molecule or ion using multiple contributing structures that differ in electron placement. Equivalent S–O bonds are represented by delocalized bonding rather than one fixed arrangement of double bonds.
Barium sulfate: Barium sulfate is a poorly soluble inorganic compound with the formula BaSO₄. Its insolubility makes it useful as radiographic contrast material and as a sulfate test.
Sulfide: Sulfide is sulfur in a reduced chemical form, including the ion S²⁻ and compounds containing it. It is a common product of sulfate reduction and has very different reactivity.
Oxygen: Oxygen is a chemical element with atomic number 8 and symbol O. Four oxygen atoms surround sulfur in the sulfate ion.
Hydrogen sulfate: Hydrogen sulfate, HSO₄⁻, is the singly charged anion formed when sulfuric acid loses one proton. It is the protonated form that can lose H⁺ to become sulfate.

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