Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Lewis Structure

Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Lewis Structure: HS Lewis Structure, linear (diatomic) Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Key Facts

The Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Lewis structure is a linear diatomic with a polar bond between its two atoms; because the two atoms differ in electronegativity, Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical is polar.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical (HS)

Chemical Formula	HS
CAS Number	2322-92-1
Total Valence Electrons	7
Lewis Structure	linear diatomic molecule with one single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	linear
Molecular Geometry	linear (diatomic)
Hybridization Model	sp3
Bond Angle	180°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem and NIST list Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical as HS with CAS 2322-92-1; molecular weight ≈ None g/mol. View CAS 2322-92-1 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical (CAS 2322-92-1)

As a hydride of S, Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical is typically a strong reducing agent, a potential fuel component, or a precursor in inorganic and organometallic synthesis. Many pnictogen/sulfur hydrides are toxic, foul-smelling and pyrophoric or flammable, and are handled with appropriate ventilation and inert-atmosphere technique.

Reducing Agent Electron-rich hydrides reduce metal centers and functional groups in synthesis.

Precursor / Feedstock Source of S in the preparation of derivatives and doped materials.

Handling Often toxic/flammable/pyrophoric; inert atmosphere and active ventilation required.

Procurement Note "Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 2322-92-1 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. HS contains 1 (H) + 6 (S); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 7 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is S. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 1 (H) + 6 (S) = 7 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place S at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: linear diatomic molecule with one single bond; 2 lone pair(s) on S.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around S therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

S–H

S: 2 lone pairs, 1 bonding domain

1 bonding domains + 2 lone pairs = 4 electron domains

Octet & Diradical Note In a simple Lewis drawing each atom of this homonuclear diatomic carries lone pairs; species such as O₂ are more accurately described by molecular-orbital theory (paramagnetism arises from unpaired electrons in π* orbitals).

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 4 electron domains around S arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an linear electron-domain geometry.

Because 2 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is linear (diatomic); the S bond angle is set to 180° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 2 lone pair(s) on S, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, S uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (1 bonding + 2 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central S = V − N − ½B = 6 − 4 − ½×2 = 1. The nonzero formal charge is distributed by resonance / charge separation; the drawn structure is the lowest-energy contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3 is a compact model for the 4 electron-domain directions around S; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Polar or Nonpolar?

Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical is polar. The linear (diatomic) shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical the linear (diatomic) arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical	HS	S	4	linear (diatomic)	Polar
Sulfur dioxide	SO₂	S	3	bent	Polar
Sulfur trioxide	O₃S	S	3	trigonal planar	Nonpolar
Sulfur hexafluoride	F₆S	S	6	octahedral	Nonpolar
Sulfur tetrafluoride	F₄S	S	5	seesaw	Polar
Sulfate	O₄S	S	4	tetrahedral	Nonpolar

Practice question Starting from the 7 valence electrons of HS, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central S atom is sp3-hybridized with linear (diatomic) geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical (CAS 2322-92-1)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is HS polar or nonpolar?

Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical is polar. Its linear (diatomic) geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical?

linear diatomic molecule with one single bond; 2 lone pair(s) on S. It uses all 7 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of 1 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical?

The S angle is about 180°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal linear value.

What is the hybridization of S in Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical?

The conventional model is sp3. Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical has 4 electron domains around the central S.

What is the CAS number of Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical?

The CAS number is 2322-92-1. PubChem and NIST identify this with HS; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem, Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical (CAS 2322-92-1).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 2322-92-1 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Mercapto radical / Hydrogen sulfide radical Lewis Structure