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9/25/2015

PhysicochemicalPropertiesEvonikisoneoftheworld'slargestproducersofhydrogenperoxideH2O2

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Physicochemical Properties
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a colorless watersoluble liquid. The molecule of hydrogen peroxide is asymmetrical and
strongly polarized. A high tendency to form hydrogenbond networks causes higher viscosity than water. Because of
free electron pairs on both oxygen atoms, the H2O2molecule tends to form donoracceptor compounds. Pure hydrogen
peroxide is primarily of scientific interest only. Its aqueous solutions, however, are widely used in many industrial
branches for various applications. Important physical properties of hydrogen peroxide and its aqueous solutions as
summarized in the table on the left side.
The molecular structure as well as oxygen's oxidation state define the chemical properties of hydrogen peroxide. The oxygen
atom, being in the oxidation state I, allows hydrogen peroxide to participate in both oxidation as well as reduction reactions.
Although hydrogen peroxide is well known as a strong oxidizing agent, its reduction properties play an important role in
some applications. Typical chemical reactions, in which hydrogen peroxide is involved, are oxidation and reduction
reactions, formations of other peroxygen or adduct compounds. In contrast to many other redox agents, hydrogen peroxide
introduces no additional substances other than water into the reaction system and an excess can be easily decomposed into
water and oxygen, not interfering thereby with subsequent reaction steps. Hydrogen peroxide is often regarded as a true
"green chemical".
Despite its high reactivity, pure hydrogen peroxide is a stable substance and, if kept under optimal conditions, can be stored
for years. The most important factors increasing the rate of decomposition are high pH value, high temperatures, UV
irradiation, presence of transition metal salts and all kinds of impurities.
The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water is a quite complex process, which involves formation of
various free radicals. In some applications (soil remediation) the induced instability is intentionally caused and used.

Important physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide (1)


H2O2 concentration
(2)

%(wt.)

30

35

50

60

70

100

g(H2O2) /
kg

300

350

500

600

700

g(H2O2) /
l

332

395

596

742

899

mol/ l

l 9,8

11,6

17,5

21,8

26,4

mol%

18,5

22,2

34,6

44,3

55,3

%(wt.)

14,1

16,5

23,5

28,2

32,9

47,1

g/mol

18,015

34,015

g/ml

0,998

1,111

1,131

1,195

1,241

1,289

1,450

26

33

52

56

40

0,4

Boiling point at 1013


mbar.

100

106

108

114

119

125

150

Boiling point at 2026


mbar.

132

135

145

152

158

Boiling point at 3039


mbar.

147

150

161

168

176

Total vapor pressure


(30 C)

mbar

42

33

32

24

19

15

mm. Hg.

31,6

25

24

18

14

11

HO partial vapor

mbar

0,3

0,4

0,8

1,2

1,7

pressure at 30 C

mm. Hg.

0,25

0,3

0,6

0,9

1,3

J*g/K

4,2

3,6

3,5

3,3

3,2

3,1

2,6

Active oxygen
content

Molecular weight

Density at 20 C

Freezing point

Specific heat at 25C

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PhysicochemicalPropertiesEvonikisoneoftheworld'slargestproducersofhydrogenperoxideH2O2

Refractive index,
n25D at 25C

1,3325

1,3519

1,3554

1,3661

1,3734

1,3814

1,4067

mPa*s

1,00

1,11

1,12

1,18

1,21

1,23

1,25

mN/m

72,8

74,2

74,5

75,7

76,4

77,3

80,4

Viscosity at 20C

Surface tension at
20C

1) The tabulated values, which are given above, describe physicochemical properties of salt free
pure aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide in water.
2) Hydrogen peroxide concentration can be expressed in weight percent, gram of 100%age hydrogen
peroxide in 1 kg solution, gram of 100%age hydrogen peroxide in 1L solution and as molar
concentration or molar fraction of hydrogen peroxide in solution. The tabulated values for g(H2O2)/l
and mol/l are given for the temperature of 25C.

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