Is it true sulphur cannot form a simple ion?

It's not entirely true that sulfur cannot form a simple ion. Εδώ είναι γιατί:

* Sulfur can form simple anions: Sulfur readily gains two electrons to form the sulfide ion (S²⁻). This is its most common ionic form and is found in many compounds like sodium sulfide (Na₂S).

* Sulfur can form cations in specific conditions: While less common, sulfur can form cations in very specific situations, like in the presence of strong oxidizing agents. For example, sulfur can form the S⁴⁺ cation in sulfur tetrafluoride (SF₄).

So, the statement is technically incorrect. Sulfur can form both simple anions and cations, though the latter is less common and occurs under specific conditions.

The confusion might arise from the fact that sulfur is more likely to form covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds. This is due to its electronegativity and the fact that it can easily share electrons with other atoms.