Question

How does the ${H_2}{O_2}$ behave as the bleaching agent?

Answer 1

${H_2}{O_2}$ is the chemical compound which is named as hydrogen peroxide. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent and antiseptic. It is an unstable compound. It can release the nascent oxygen.

Complete Step by step answer: Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical compound with the molecular formula, ${H_2}{O_2}$. Its colour is pale blue liquid. It is slightly more viscous than water. Hydrogen peroxide is the odorless and colorless liquid. It tastes bitter. It is also completely miscible with water, alcohol and ether.
Some of the chemical properties of hydrogen peroxide are –
-It can oxidize lead sulphide to lead sulphate and acidified ferrous sulphate to ferric sulphate.
It acts as a reducing agent when there is the presence of another oxidizing agent as it takes up an atom of oxygen to give water and oxygen gas.
-It turns blue litmus to red.
-It can also decompose into water and oxygen as it is unstable in nature.
Used of Hydrogen peroxide –
-It can be used as an antiseptic for washing wounds.
-It is used to detect the presence of chromium, titanium etc. in labs.
-Used in the production of epoxides.
-It can also be used as a bleaching agent.
-The hydrogen peroxide can be used as a bleaching agent because it releases the nascent oxygen. In the chemical properties we can see that it decomposes to water and oxygen. So, -
${H_2}{O_2}\xrightarrow{{}}{H_2}O + \left[ O \right]$
This nascent oxygen combines with the coloring matter which can be oxidized. So, due to the oxidation of coloring matter by nascent oxygen it can be used as bleaching action.

Note: These bleaching agents are only effective at wash temperatures of ${60^ \circ }C$ or above and so, often are used in conjunction with bleach activators, which facilitate cleaning at lower temperatures.