Zeolites sulfur anions

Nowadays, ultramarine-type pigments are produced synthetically. Inside the zeolite structure the highly reactive sulfur radical anions are well protected which explains the stability of the blue color over thousands of years in air. However, the species responsible for the blue color should not be confused with the sulfur radical cations responsible for the blue color of sulfur solutions in fuming sulfuric acid (oleum) and similar oxidizing mixtures... 

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