Question

Hydrogen peroxide is used as:

• A. An oxidant only.
• B. A reductant only.
• C. An acid only.
• D. An oxidant, a reductant and an acid.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

An oxidant, a reductant and an acid.

Answer 2

Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an oxidant, reductant and an acid. It oxidise Fe2+ into Fe3+ solwly in acidic medium but in basic medium it oxides very fast.

2Fe2+ + 2H+(aq) + H2O2$\longrightarrow$2Fe3+(aq) + 2H2O(l) acidic medium (SRP = + 1.77 V)

2Fe2+ + H2O2 $\longrightarrow$2Fe3+ + 2OH– basic median           (SRP = + 0.87 V)

Hydrogen peroxide is also acidic in nature.

H2O2 H+ + HO–2 Ka = 1.5 × 10–12

Na2CO3 + H2O2 $\longrightarrow$Na2O2 + H2O + CO2