Question

Hydrogen peroxide is _____.

• A. an oxidising agent
• B. neither oxidising nor reducing agent
• C. both an oxidising and a reducing agent
• D. a reducing agent

Answer 1

The correct option is C both an oxidising and a reducing agent

Hydrogen peroxide $H_2{O}_2$ can act as an oxidising agent as well as a reducing agent. Examples:


When $H_2{O}_2$ reacts with $HI,H_2{O}_2$ oxidises $HI$ to $I_2$ and itself gets reduced to $H_{2}O$. Thus, in the above reaction , $H_2{O}_2$ is acting as an oxidising agent.


When $H_2{O}_2$ reacts with $HOCl,H_2{O}_2$ reduces $HOCl$ to $C{l}^{-}$ and itself gets oxidised to $O_2$. Thus, in the above reaction , $H_2{O}_2$ is acting as a reducing agent.

Hence, option (C) is correct.