hydrogen peroxide is produced in the anthraquinone-autoxidation AO process

Hydrogen peroxide

General Information

We provide you with some basic information about the reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide. Please find below a general description of H2O2, its most important technical data, as well as the markets and industries peroxide hydrogen is most commonly used in.

What is Hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a clear, colorless, inorganic liquid chemical compound with an acidic pH and in its pure form a pale blue liquid. Because of the complete solubility of hydrogen peroxide in water, solutions of a wide range of concentrations can be made. The amount of H2O2 present is expressed as a percent of the solutions weight. Thus, 10 kilograms of a 35% solution contains 3.5 kilograms of hydrogen peroxide and 6.5 kilograms of water.

The chemical peroxide hydrogen is produced today almost exclusively according to the anthraquinone-autoxidation (AO) process. In this AO process, hydrogen peroxide is produced from hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen, whereby an anthraquinone derivative, which is circulated, acts as "reaction carrier". The crude hydrogen peroxide derived through the AO process is then purified and concentrated.

After appropriate stabilization, the product is marketed as an aqueous solution, usually in concentrations of 35, 50, and 70 percent by weight. Other concentrations or special grades, the purity and stabilization of which are matched to special requirements, are likewise available.

Technical Data

Description

CAS name

Hydrogen peroxide

CAS number

7722-84-1

Formula

H2O2

Markets

Effects

Bleaching agent
Disinfectant
Oxidizing agent

EINECS

231-765-0

Code

Hydrogen peroxide

Synonyms

Hydrogen dioxide
Bleaching chemical
Eau oxygenée
Perhydrol
Peroxide hydrogen
Peroxyde

Molecular weight

34 g/mol

Delivery form

Can, drum, IBC, bulk 

Hydrogen peroxide is an environmentally friendly chemical. It decomposes to yield only oxygen and water. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the cleanest, most versatile chemicals available.

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