Question

How will you concentrate \[\ce{H2O2}\]? Show differences between structures of \[\ce{H2O2}\] and \[\ce{H2O}\] by drawing their spatial structures. Also mention three important uses of \[\ce{H2O2}\].

Answer 1

Hydrogen peroxide is produced by acidifying barium peroxide and eliminating surplus water by evaporation under low pressure. Water is used to extract it, then distillation under lower pressure concentrates it to around 30% (by mass). Careful distillation under low pressure can increase the concentration to 85%. To achieve pure \[\ce{H2O2}\], the residual water can be frozen out.

Spatial structures of \[\ce{H2O2}\] and \[\ce{H2O}\]:

Uses of  \[\ce{H2O2}\]:

(i) As an antiseptic it is sold in the market as perhydrol.

(ii) It is used to manufacture chemicals like sodium perborate and per- carbonate. It is employed in the industries as a bleaching agent for textiles.

(iii) It is used in laboratories as an oxidising agent. Also used in rocket fuels.