Disulfides are compounds that have S-S bonds, like peroxides have O-O bonds. Thiols are organic compounds that have the general formula R-SH, where R is a generic hydrocarbon. The SH- ion is the sulfur counterpart of hydroxide, OH^-. Two thiols can react to make a disulfide, R-S-S-R. 

(a) What is the oxidation state of sulfur in a thiol? 

(b) What is the oxidation state of sulfur in a disulfide? 

(c) If you react two thiols to make a disulfide, are you oxidizing or reducing the thiols? 

(d) If you wanted to convert a disulfide to two thiols, should you add a reducing agent or oxidizing agent to the solution? 

(e) Suggest what happens to the H’s in the thiols when they form disulfides.