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Hydrogen Peroxide - Structure, Preparation, and Properties of H2O2

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)?

Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest kind of peroxide available (oxygen-oxygen single bond). It is a colourless liquid and is used in aqueous solution for safety reasons. It acts as a bleaching agent and is also used as a disinfectant. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is a very reactive oxygen species and is used as a propellant in rocketry. The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2O2.

Table of Contents

Hydrogen peroxide is often referred to as water with one more oxygen atom. It is acidic in nature, and PH is about 4.5. It is a 100 per cent degradable compound.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Overview of H2O– Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide Chemical Formula H2O2
Molecular Weight/Molar Mass 4.0147 g/mol
Density 1.05 g/cm3
Boiling Point 150.2 °C
Melting Point -0.43 °C

Structure of Hydrogen Peroxide

The structure of hydrogen peroxide is non-planar. H2O2 has an open-book structure with O–O spins. The dihedral angle is 111°. The O-O bond length is 145.8 pm, and the O-H bond length is 98.8 pm (which is equal to 9.88 × 10-13 m). The following diagram clearly shows what an open book structure means.

Structure of Hydrogen Peroxide - Open Book Shape

Hydrogen Peroxide Structure

There are two planes in this structure, and each plane has one O-H bond pair, the angle between both planes is 90.2°.

⇒ Also Read: Chemical Bonding

Preparation of Hydrogen Peroxide

Let us have a look at the various methods of preparation for hydrogen peroxide.

Laboratory Methods of Preparation

When barium peroxide is acidified, and the excess water is removed by the process of evaporation under reduced pressure, we obtain hydrogen peroxide. The following reaction will clarify this:

BaO2.8H2O(s) + H2SO4(aq) → BaSO4(s) + H2O2(aq) + 8H2O(l)

Industrial Method of Preparation

Hydrogen peroxide is prepared by the electrolysis of 30% ice-cold H2SO4. When acidified sulfate solution is electrolysed at a high current density, peroxodisulphate is obtained. Peroxodisulphate is then hydrolysed to get hydrogen peroxide.

2HSO4(aq) [Electrolysis] → HO3SOOSO3H(aq) [Hydrolysis] → 2HSO4(aq)+2H+(aq)+H2O2(aq)

Reaction Mechanism

  • Electrolyte: 30% dilute H2SO4
  • Cathode: Pb wire
  • Anode: Pt rod

2H2SO4 → 2H+ 2HSO4

At Cathode: 2H+ 2e– → H2

At Anode: 

2HSO→ H2S2O+ 2e– ⇒ Peroxodi Sulphuric Acid [Marshall’s acid]

H2S2O+ H2O → H2SO+ H2SO⇒ Peroxomono Sulphuric Acid [Caro’s acid]

H2SO+ H2O → H2SO+ H2O2

Commercial Methods of Preparation

Auto-Oxidation Method:

Preparation of Hydrogen Peroxide

Auto-Oxidation Method of Preparation of H2O2

Properties of Hydrogen Peroxide

Physical Properties

  • In the pure state, hydrogen peroxide is an almost colourless (very pale blue) liquid.
  • It melts at 272.4 K and has a boiling point of 423 K (extrapolated).
  • It is miscible in water in all proportions and forms hydrates.

Chemical Properties

Hydrogen peroxide in both acidic and basic mediums acts as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent. The following reactions will give a clear picture:

Oxidation Reactions of H2O2

  • Oxidises black Pbs to white PbSO4. Reaction: Pbs + 4H2O2 → PbSO+ 4H2O
  • Oxidises KI to Iodine. Reaction: 2KI + H2O→ 2KOH + I2
  • Oxidises nitrites to nitrates. Reaction: NaNO+ H2O2 → NaNO3 + H2O
  • Oxidises acidified potassium ferrocyanide. Reaction: 2K4Fe(CN)6 + H2SO4 + H2O→ 2K3Fe(CN)6 + K2SO4 + 2H2O
  • Oxidises sulphites to sulphates. Reaction: Na2SO3 + H2O2 → Na2SO4 + H2O
  • Oxidises CrO-24 in an acid medium to chromium peroxide CrO5Reaction: CrO-2+ 2H+ + 2H2O→ CrO5 + 3H2O

⇒ Check: Redox Reactions

Bleaching Reactions

It bleaches by oxidation. H2O2 bleaches silk, wool, cotton and hair.

Reaction: H2O2 → H2O + [O] Nascent oxygen

Coloured substance + [O] → colourless

Reduction Reactions of Hydrogen Peroxide

  • It reduces barium peroxide to monoxide. Reaction: BaO2 + H2O2 → BaO + H2O + O2
  • It reduces ozone to oxygen. Reaction: O+ H2O→ H2O + 2O2
  • It reduces alkaline potassium ferricyanide. Reaction: 2K3Fe(CN)+ 2KOH + H2O→ 2K4Fe(CN)+ 2H2O + O2

Why Is Hydrogen Peroxide Stored in Plastic Containers?

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes when exposed to sunlight, this process is catalysed by traces of alkali metals. Therefore, H2O2 is stored in wax-lined glass or plastic containers and kept in the dark.

It should also be kept away from dust particles because dust can induce explosive decomposition of this compound.

How to Determine the Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide?

Volume Strength of H2O2

10 Vol H2O2 means 1 mL of H2O2 gives 10 mL of O2 at STP.

Weight Percentage [w/w%]

Let us consider 10 Vol H2O2

2H2O→ 2H2O + O2

→ 68g of H2O2 gives 22.4 L of O2 at STP.

→ 10 L of O2 is given by

Amount of hydrogen peroxide = 10 × 68/22.4 = 30.36 g

1000 mL of H2O2 → 30.36 g

100 mL → ?

\(\begin{array}{l}wt\%=\frac{1 \cancel{00} \times 30.36}{10 \cancel{00}}\end{array} \)

= 30.36%

100 Vol H2O2 or 3.036%(w/w) H2O2 is known as Perhydrol.

Molarity of H2O2

To calculate the molarity, let us consider 10 Vol H2O2

\(\begin{array}{l}M = \frac{wt\times 1000}{GMw\times Vin\ \ mL}\end{array} \)

Molarity of hydrogen peroxide = 30.36/34 = 0.89 M.

Normality of H2O2

Let us consider 10 Vol H2O2

\(\begin{array}{l}N = \frac{wt\times 1000}{Gm.Eq.wt\times Vin\ mL}\end{array} \)

= 30.36/17 = 1.78N

Also Read: What Is Hydrogen Peroxide Used for?

Hydrogen Peroxide – Video Lesson

Hydrogen Peroxide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1

What is hydrogen peroxide used for?

Hydrogen peroxide is used for stain removal, as a cleanser and as a disinfectant.
Q2

State three physical properties of hydrogen peroxide.

The physical properties of hydrogen peroxide are listed below:
It is a pale blue colour in its pure form.
The viscosity of H2O2 is slightly more than water.
The boiling point of hydrogen peroxide is 150.2°C.
Q3

What is the oxidation of oxygen in hydrogen peroxide?

The oxidation state of oxygen in hydrogen peroxide is -1.
Q4

Give an example of a reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent.

Hydrogen peroxide oxidises sodium nitrate to sodium nitrite.
NaNO2 + H2O2 → NaNO3 + H2O
Q5

What is the product of the reaction between ozone and hydrogen peroxide?

Ozone, in reaction with hydrogen peroxide, gives oxygen and water. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a reducing agent in this reaction.
O3 + H2O2 → H2O + 2O2
Test your knowledge on Hydrogen Peroxide Properties Preparation

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  1. nice article.