Properties
The boiling point of has been extrapolated as being , approximately higher than water. In practice, hydrogen peroxide will undergo potentially explosiveStructure
Hydrogen peroxide () is a nonplanar molecule with (twisted) C2Aqueous solutions
InDiscovery
Production
Other sources
Small, but detectable, amounts of hydrogen peroxide can be formed by several methods. Small amounts are formed by electrolysis of dilute acid around theAvailability
Hydrogen peroxide is most commonly available as a solution in water. For consumers, it is usually available from pharmacies at 3 and 6 wt% concentrations. The concentrations are sometimes described in terms of the volume of oxygen gas generated; one milliliter of a 20-volume solution generates twenty milliliters of oxygen gas when completely decomposed. For laboratory use, 30 wt% solutions are most common. Commercial grades from 70% to 98% are also available, but due to the potential of solutions of more than 68% hydrogen peroxide to be converted entirely to steam and oxygen (with the temperature of the steam increasing as the concentration increases above 68%) these grades are potentially far more hazardous and require special care in dedicated storage areas. Buyers must typically allow inspection by commercial manufacturers. In 1994, world production of was around 1.9 million tonnes and grew to 2.2 million in 2006, most of which was at a concentration of 70% or less. In that year, bulk 30% sold for around 0.54Reactions
Decomposition
Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to form water and oxygen with a Δ''H''Redox reactions
The redox properties of hydrogen peroxide depend on pH as acidic conditions exacerbate the power ofOrganic reactions
Hydrogen peroxide is frequently used as anPrecursor to other peroxide compounds
Hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid, formingBiological function
Uses
Bleaching
About 60% of the world's production of hydrogen peroxide is used for bleaching of wood pulp, pulp- and paper-bleaching. The second major industrial application is the manufacture of sodium percarbonate andProduction of organic compounds
It is used in the production of various organic peroxides with dibenzoyl peroxide being a high volume example. Peroxy acids, such as peracetic acid and meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid also are produced using hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has been used for creating organic peroxide-based explosives, such asSewage treatment
Hydrogen peroxide is used in certain waste-water treatment processes to remove organic impurities. In advanced oxidation processing, the Fenton reaction gives the highly reactiveDisinfectant
Hydrogen peroxide may be used for the sterilization of various surfaces, including surgical tools, and may be deployed as a vapour (Vaporized hydrogen peroxide, VHP) for room sterilization. H2O2 demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and bacterial spores. In general, greater activity is seen against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria; however, the presence ofPropellant
Household use
Niche uses
Safety
Adverse effects on wounds
Historically hydrogen peroxide was used for disinfecting wounds, partly because of its low cost and prompt availability compared to otherUse in alternative medicine
Practitioners of alternative medicine have advocated the use of hydrogen peroxide for various conditions, including emphysema, influenza, AIDS, and in particular cancer. There is no evidence of effectiveness and in some cases it has proved fatal.Hydrogen Peroxide, 3%. 3. Hazards IdentificationHistorical incidents
* On 16 July 1934, in Kummersdorf, Germany, a propellant tank containing an experimental monopropellant mixture consisting of hydrogen peroxide and ethanol exploded during a test, killing three people. * During the World War II, Second World War, doctors in Nazi concentration camps, German concentration camps experimented with the use of hydrogen peroxide injections in the killing of human subjects. * In April 1992, an explosion occurred at the hydrogen peroxide plant at Jarrie in France, due to technical failure of the computerised control system and resulting in one fatality and wide destruction of the plant. * Several people received minor injuries after a hydrogen peroxide spill on board a flight between the U.S. cities of Orlando and Memphis on 28 October 1998. * The Russian submarine Russian submarine Kursk (K-141), K-141 ''Kursk'' sailed to perform an exercise of firing dummy torpedoes at the Russian battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy, Pyotr Velikiy, a Kirov-class battlecruiser, ''Kirov''-class battlecruiser. On 12 August 2000, at 11:28 local time (07:28 UTC), Russian submarine Kursk explosion, there was an explosion while preparing to fire the torpedoes. The only credible report to date is that this was due to the failure and explosion of one of the Kursk's hydrogen peroxide-fueled torpedoes. It is believed that High test peroxide, HTP, a form of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide used as propellant for the torpedo, seeped through its container, damaged either by rust or in the loading procedure back on land where an incident involving one of the torpedoes accidentally touching ground went unreported. The vessel was lost with all hands. A similar incident was responsible for the loss of HMS Sidon (P259), HMS ''Sidon'' in 1955. * On 15 August 2010, a spill of about of cleaning fluid occurred on the 54th floor of 1515 Broadway, in Times Square, New York City. The spill, which a spokesperson for the New York City fire department said was of hydrogen peroxide, shut down Broadway between West 42nd and West 48th streets as fire engines responded to the HAZMAT, hazmat situation. There were no reported injuries.See also
* FOX reagent, used to measure levels of hydrogen peroxide in biological systems. * Hydrogen chalcogenide * Retr0bright, a process utilizing hydrogen peroxide to restore yellowed items such as plastic Home computer, computer cases and Video game console, game consoles.References
Notes Bibliography * * A great description of properties & chemistry of . * *External links