Topic summary
Sodium peroxide
Sodium peroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula Na2O2. It is the product of sodium ignited in excess oxygen. The pure substance is a white solid, but commercial and laboratory samples often appear as a yellowish solid due to sodium superoxide impurities. It is a strong base. This metal peroxide exists in several hydrates and peroxyhydrates including Na2O2·2H2O2·4H2O, Na2O2·2H2O, Na2O2·2H2O2, and Na2O2·8H2O. The octahydrate, which is simple to prepare, is white, like the pure anhydrous material.