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Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H 2 O 2.In its pure form, it is a very pale blue [5] liquid that is slightly more viscous than water.It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usually as a dilute solution (3%–6% by weight) in water for consumer use and in higher concentrations for industrial use.
About 50 ml of concentrated (>12%) [5] hydrogen peroxide is first mixed with liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. Then, a catalyst, often around 10 ml potassium iodide solution or catalase from baker's yeast, is added to make the hydrogen peroxide decompose very quickly. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water.
Most notably hydroxyl radicals are produced from the decomposition of hydroperoxides (ROOH) or, in atmospheric chemistry, by the reaction of excited atomic oxygen with water. It is also an important radical formed in radiation chemistry, since it leads to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen , which can enhance corrosion and stress ...
Chemical decomposition, or chemical breakdown, is the process or effect of simplifying a single chemical entity (normal molecule, reaction intermediate, etc.) into two or more fragments. [1] Chemical decomposition is usually regarded and defined as the exact opposite of chemical synthesis. In short, the chemical reaction in which two or more ...
Hydrogen peroxide is a harmful byproduct of many normal metabolic processes; to prevent damage to cells and tissues, it must be quickly converted into other, less dangerous substances. To this end, catalase is frequently used by cells to rapidly catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into less-reactive gaseous oxygen and water ...
A closely related mixture, sometimes called "base piranha", is a 5:1:1 mixture of water, ammonia solution (NH 4 OH, or NH 3 (aq)), and 30% hydrogen peroxide. [2] [3] As hydrogen peroxide is less stable at high pH than under acidic conditions, NH 4 OH (pH c. 11.6) also accelerates its decomposition.
The main finding of Haber and Weiss was that hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) is decomposed by a chain reaction. [2] The Haber–Weiss reaction chain proceeds by successive steps: (i) initiation, (ii) propagation and (iii) termination. The chain is initiated by the Fenton reaction: Fe 2+ + H 2 O 2 → Fe 3+ + HO – + HO • (step 1: initiation)
The free radicals generated by this process engage in secondary reactions. For example, the hydroxyl is a powerful, non-selective oxidant. [6] Oxidation of an organic compound by Fenton's reagent is rapid and exothermic and results in the oxidation of contaminants to primarily carbon dioxide and water.