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Specifically 35S-labelled pentathionate is hydrolized under various reaction conditions. From the experimental activity behaviour of the hydrolization products a reaction mechanism can be deduced. Attack of the OH− occurs at the γ-S-atom of the sulfur chain leading to sulfoxylic acid and thiosulfate as reaction products. Sulfoxylic acid disproportionates to sulfur and sulfite which combine to thiosulfate.
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Wagner et al. (1978) studied this question.
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