Hydrogen Peroxide

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Hydrogen peroxide is a relatively stable reactive oxygen species formed when superoxide dismutase converts two superoxide anions into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Unlike many other reactive oxygen species, hydrogen peroxide is not itself a free radical since it has no unpaired electrons, and it is comparatively mild and longer lived, which allows it to diffuse across cell membranes and travel further within tissue than more reactive, short-lived species. In small, controlled amounts, hydrogen peroxide actually functions as a cellular signaling molecule involved in normal processes like wound healing and immune response. The concern arises when hydrogen peroxide accumulates in excess or comes into contact with transition metals like iron or copper, because that combination (known as the Fenton reaction) generates the far more dangerous hydroxyl radical. The enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase are the body’s main tools for breaking hydrogen peroxide down into water and oxygen before it can reach that threshold.

Hydrogen Peroxide (Wikipedia)

Hydrogen peroxide
Structural formula of hydrogen peroxide
Structural formula of hydrogen peroxide
  Oxygen, O
  Hydrogen, H
Space filling model of the hydrogen peroxide molecule
Space filling model of the hydrogen peroxide molecule
Names
IUPAC name
Hydrogen peroxide
Systematic IUPAC name
Peroxol
Dioxidane
Other names
Oxidanyl
Perhydroxic acid
O-hydroxyol
Oxygenated water
Peroxaan
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.028.878 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 231-765-0
KEGG
RTECS number
  • MX0900000 (>90% soln.)
    MX0887000 (>30% soln.)
UNII
UN number 2015 (>60% soln.)
2014 (20–60% soln.)
2984 (8–20% soln.)
  • InChI=1S/H2O2/c1-2/h1-2H checkY
    Key: MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/H2O2/c1-2/h1-2H
    Key: MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYAL
  • OO
Properties
H2O2
Molar mass 34.014 g·mol−1
Appearance Very light blue liquid
Odor slightly sharp
Density 1.11 g/cm3 (20 °C, 30% (w/w) solution)
1.450 g/cm3 (20 °C, pure)
Melting point −0.43 °C (31.23 °F; 272.72 K)
Boiling point 150.2 °C (302.4 °F; 423.3 K) (decomposes)
Miscible
Solubility soluble in ether, alcohol
insoluble in petroleum ether
log P −0.43
Vapor pressure 5 mmHg (30 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 11.75
−17.7·10−6 cm3/mol
1.4061
Viscosity 1.245 cP (20 °C)
2.26 D
Thermochemistry
1.267 J/(g·K) (gas)
2.619 J/(g·K) (liquid)
−187.80 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
A01AB02 (WHO) D08AX01 (WHO), D11AX25 (WHO), S02AA06 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS03: OxidizingGHS05: CorrosiveGHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H271, H302, H314, H332, H335, H412
P280, P305+P351+P338, P310
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
1518 mg/kg[citation needed]
2000 mg/kg (oral, mouse)
1418 ppm (rat, 4 hr)
227 ppm (mouse)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
TWA 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3)
REL (Recommended)
TWA 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3)
IDLH (Immediate danger)
75 ppm
Safety data sheet (SDS) ICSC 0164 (>60% soln.)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Water
Oxywater
Ozone
Hydrazine
Hydrogen disulfide
Hydrogen thioperoxide
Trioxidane
Dioxygen difluoride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid; however, at lower concentrations, it appears colorless due to the faintness of the blue coloration. The molecule hydrogen peroxide is asymmetrical and highly polarized. Its strong tendency to form hydrogen bond networks results in greater viscosity compared to 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. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide, or "high-test peroxide", decomposes explosively when heated and has been used as both a monopropellant and an oxidizer in rocketry.

Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen species and the simplest peroxide, a compound having an oxygen–oxygen single bond. It decomposes slowly into water and elemental oxygen when exposed to light, and rapidly in the presence of organic or reactive compounds. It is typically stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution in an opaque bottle. Hydrogen peroxide is found in biological systems including the human body. Enzymes that use or decompose hydrogen peroxide are classified as peroxidases.

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