Lewis Structure Generator
Reviewed oxyanion guide

HSO₄⁻ Lewis Structure: Bisulfate Ion

A common minimized-formal-charge drawing is HO–S(=O)₂–O⁻. The negative charge and single-bonded nonprotonated oxygen can occupy three equivalent positions.

Reviewed July 16, 2026 · Classroom Lewis convention

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Quick answer

Electron count

H 1 + S 6 + four O 24 + charge 1 = 32 electrons.

Connectivity

Hydrogen attaches to oxygen, not directly to sulfur.

Geometry

Four S–O domains give a tetrahedral arrangement around sulfur.

Drawing steps

  1. Place sulfur in the center with four oxygen atoms around it.
  2. Attach hydrogen to one oxygen to create an –OH group.
  3. Complete terminal oxygen octets.
  4. In the common expanded-octet form, draw two S=O bonds and one S–O⁻ bond in addition to S–OH.
  5. Bracket the ion and add the overall − charge.

Resonance and conventions

The OH oxygen stays protonated. Resonance moves the negative charge and single bond among the other three oxygens, producing three equivalent contributors.

Textbook variation: some courses prefer an all-single-bond charge-separated form. Follow the convention required by the course while preserving 32 electrons and the overall −1 charge.