Hydrogen peroxide

Use

Synthesized hydrogen peroxide is approximately 60% H2O2 by weight and is distilled tohigher concentrations and diluted to lower concentrations for intended purposes. Differentgrades of hydrogen peroxide are sold that contain stabilizers and additives dependent on theend use. Food grade hydrogen peroxide comes in 35% and 50% concentrations. It is usedfor disinfecting purposes and also as an ingredient in cosmetics, shampoos, and medications.Reagent hydrogen peroxide for chemical and medical laboratories has a concentration of 30%.Standard grades of 35%, 50%, 60%, and 70% are used for industrial bleaching. Generalhousehold hydrogen peroxide is 3% H2O2 and 6% is used by beauticians for hair coloring.Very high grades such as 90% are used as oxidizers in rocket propulsion.Hydrogen peroxide has a number of environmental uses. Hydrogen peroxide has a number of environmental uses. These include water treatment, odorcontrol, oxidation of pollutants, and corrosion control. Hydrogen peroxide is used to removeiron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide from water supplies and wastewater. The oxidation ofsubstances such as hydrogen sulfide reduces odors. Because H2O2 decomposes into oxygen andwater, it has the added advantage of lowering the biological oxygen demand of wastewater.ese include water treatment, odorcontrol, oxidation of pollutants, and corrosion control. Hydrogen peroxide is used to removeiron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide from water supplies and wastewater. The oxidation ofsubstances such as hydrogen sulfide reduces odors. Because H2O2 decomposes into oxygen andwater, it has the added advantage of lowering the biological oxygen demand of wastewater.Hydrogen peroxide is used in chemical synthesis and can function as both an oxidizing andreducing agent. Caro’s acid (H2SO5) is made using H2O2. Peracetic acid (C2H4O3) is producedby reacting acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide and is used as a disinfectant. Solid bleachingagents such as perborates and percarbonates are made using H2O2. It is used in epoxida tionand hydroxylation reactions. Epoxidation reactions involve the breaking of double bondsin alkenes, with the carbons then bonding to the same oxygen atom to form an epoxide ring.