Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
The dithionate (or metabisulfate) anion S2O62− is a sulfur oxoanion derived from dithionic acid H2S2O6. Its chemical formula is sometimes written in a semistructural format as [O3SSO3]2−.The sulfur atoms of the dithionate ion are in the +5 oxidation state due to the presence of the S-S bond. Generally dithionates form stable compounds that are not readily oxidised or reduced. Strong oxidants oxidise them to sulfates and strong reducing agents reduce them to sulfites and dithionites.
