why are peroxides and superoxides stable in comparison to other oxides
why are peroxides and superoxides stable in comparison to other oxides
In superoxides ; only one electron is released from the dioxygen atom and a superoxide ion is represented as O2- . So, in superoxides the oxygen atoms bear -1/2 oxidation state and they also behave as a free radical species, having an unpaired electron.
In peroxides; two electrons are released and the peroxide ion is represented as O22- and so, oxygen atom has the oxidation state of -1.
While in general oxides, the oxide ions are represented as O-2 , in which the oxidation states of oxygen atoms is -2 as compared to -1/2 in superoxides and -1 in peroxides.
So, as we see, the superoxide ions can be easily stabilized by resonance, as it has an unpaired electron which makes a 3 electrons bond system. Also the peroxide ions are stabilized by resonance, as they have one oxygen atom with an oxide ion.
Thus, superoxide and peroxide ions are treated as more stable than the oxide ions.
However, superoxides, and peroxides are more reactive than oxides, because after reaction they can get stable superoxide or peroxide ion species.
In superoxides ; only one electron is released from the dioxygen atom and a superoxide ion is represented as O2- . So, in superoxides the oxygen atoms bear -1/2 oxidation state and they also behave as a free radical species, having an unpaired electron.
In peroxides; two electrons are released and the peroxide ion is represented as O22- and so, oxygen atom has the oxidation state of -1.
While in general oxides, the oxide ions are represented as O-2 , in which the oxidation states of oxygen atoms is -2 as compared to -1/2 in superoxides and -1 in peroxides.
So, as we see, the superoxide ions can be easily stabilized by resonance, as it has an unpaired electron which makes a 3 electrons bond system. Also the peroxide ions are stabilized by resonance, as they have one oxygen atom with an oxide ion.
Thus, superoxide and peroxide ions are treated as more stable than the oxide ions.
However, superoxides, and peroxides are more reactive than oxides, because after reaction they can get stable superoxide or peroxide ion species.
