Question

The chemical nature of hydrogen peroxide is:

• A. Reducing agent in basic medium, but not in acidic medium.
• B. Oxidising and reducing agent in acidic medium, but not in basic medium.
• C. Oxidising agent in acidic medium, but not in basic medium.
• D. Oxidising and reducing agent in both acidic and basic medium.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Oxidising and reducing agent in both acidic and basic medium.

$H_2{O}_2$ act as oxidising agent and reducing agent in acidic medium as well as basic medium.

$H_2{O}_2$ act as oxidant:
$H_2{O}_2+2H^{+}+2e^{-}\to 2H_{2}O\text{(In acidic medium)}$

$H_2{O}_2+2e^{-}\to 2O{H}^{-}\text{(In basic medium)}$

$H_2{O}_2$ acts as reductant:-
$H_2{O}_2\to 2H^{+}+O_2+2e^{-}\text{(In acidic medium)}$

$H_2{O}_2+2O{H}^{-}\to 2H_{2}O+O_2+2e^{-}\text{(In basic medium)}$

Hence, option (d) is correct.