Question

Explain the following laboratory method for the preparation of dioxygen:

Thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

Answer 1

By the thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide:

The thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of finely divided metal and manganese dioxide used as catalyst gives oxygen.

\[\ce{2H2O2(aq) ->[heat][MnO2] 2H2O(l) + O2(g)}\]