SULPHUR has the electronic configuration (3~)~(3px)~(3py)(3pz) in the ground state and, as would be expected, is commonly bivalent in its compounds with other elements. However, its 3d-orbitals are available and there is considerable evidence1 that these play an important role in its chemistry. This is particularly evident for sulphur-fluorine compounds where sulphur is normally either quadri-or sexi-valent. For sulphur to increase its valency ...
