Question

Hydrogen peroxide can function as an oxidising agent as well as the reducing agent. substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Answer 1

Hydrogen peroxide can function as an oxidising agent as well as the reducing agent.

1. H₂O₂ act as oxidising agent in acidic medium. For example,
   \[\ce{\underset{\text{Ferrous sulphate}}{2FeSO4} + H2SO4 + H2O2 -> \underset{\text{Ferric sulphate}}{Fe2(SO4)3} + 2H2O}\]
2. H₂O₂ act as reducing agent in basic medium. For example,
   \[\ce{\underset{\text{Porassium permanganate}}{2KMnO4_{(aq)}} + 3H2O2_{(aq)} -> \underset{\text{Manganese dioxide}}{2MnO2} + 2KOH + 2H2O + 3O2_{(g)}}\]