"The Illusion of an Essential Substance: Debunking Chemistry's Misconception"

A team of researchers investigating the use of sulfide solutions to reduce mercury emissions made a surprising discovery: the S2– ion, which was assumed to exist in aqueous form and had been a part of chemistry calculations for decades, does not actually exist. Using a Raman spectrometer, the team found no evidence of S2–(aq). The mistake, which occurred decades ago, has led to incorrect chemistry calculations and the researchers recommend that the ion be "comprehensively banished" from the chemical community.