In reality, all four Sulfur-Oxygen bonds were —a perfect average between a single and a double bond (called a bond order of 1.5). The negative charge was spread evenly across all four Oxygens.
One day, Sulfur decided to host the biggest gathering in the valley. He sent invitations to four Oxygen atoms. so4 -2 lewis
"Let's bond!" said Sulfur. "I have six valence electrons of my own. You four each have six. Together, we can form a stable ring of eight." In reality, all four Sulfur-Oxygen bonds were —a
Every millisecond, the double bonds would hop from one Oxygen to another. Click. Now a different Oxygen has the double bond. Click. Now another. He sent invitations to four Oxygen atoms
But the Oxygen atoms were democratic. They didn't like that only two got the "honor" of a double bond. So they did something magical: .
Sulfur’s eyes lit up. "Of course!"
Suddenly, a wise old floated by. "You have a secret power, Sulfur," it whispered. "You are in Period 3. You can expand your octet. Use your empty 3d orbitals ."