I
670 Hydrogen 'Peroxide Solution Part I
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION. Absolute H202 has been obtained by extraction,
U.S.P. (B.P.) with ether and evaporation of the latter under
Hydrogen Dioxide Solution, Liquor Hydrogenii Peroxidi reduced pressure and at low temperature. The
melting point of the pure compound is about -2*
"Hydrogen Peroxide Solution contains, in each and the boiling point is 152.10.
100 ml., not less than 2.5 Gm. and not more than Because of the instability of hydrogen peroxide
.3.5 Gm. of H202. Suitable preservatives, totaling various stabilizing agents are commonly added.
not more than 0.05 per cent, may be added." Small concentrations of such substances as acet-
U.S.P. The B.P. solution is required to contain anilid, oxyquinoline, tetrasodium pyrophosphate
not less than 5.0 per cent w/v and not more than and acids serve to stabilize all concentrations of
7.0 per cent w/v Of H202, corresponding to about hydrogen peroxide solutions. Various metals and
20 times its volume of available oxygen. metallic salts, on the other hand, catalyze the de-
B.P. Solution of Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen Perox- composition of the substance; alkalinization also
ide; "Peroxide." Hydrogenium Peroxydatum Solutum; accelerates decomposition.
Solutum Hydrogenii Peroxydati Officinale; Solutio Bioxydi The official hydrogen peroxide solution may be
Hydrogenii. Fr. Soluth officinal d'eau oxyg&,~e; E~au
oxygence officinale.Ger. Wasserstoffsuperoxydlosung. prepared by diluting any of the stronger solutions,
it. Acqua ossigenata; Biossido d'idrogeno, Sp'. Soluci6n sufficient preservative being incorporated to stabi-
derb6xido de Hidr6geno; gaoiead;Sldnd lize the diluted solution. Even the 3 per cent solu-
Per~~do e Hdr~gao.tion is a powerful oxidizing agent, reacting with
Hydrogen peroxide was first prepared by many oxidizable substances. On the other hand,.
Th6nard, in 1818, by treating barium peroxide in the presence of a stronger oxidant, hydrogen
with hydrochloric acid. The same reaction, but peroxide solution serves as a reducing agent; thus,
using either sulfuric or phosphoric acid so as to potassium permanganate is reduced by it, oxygen
precipitate the barium ion, was for many years being evolved from the peroxide.
employed in the c6mmercial production of hydro- Hydrogen peroxide forms with urea a solid com-
gen peroxide solution. A somewhat similar reac- pound called "urea peroxide" or "carbamide perox-
tion between sodium peroxide and sulfuric acid ide" capable of yielding over 35 per cent of H202.
has also been utilized commercially, the by-prod- In some countries the compound finds use as a
uct sodium sulfate being precipitated with the, preservative for milk; 0.1 per cent of it is said
aid of sodium fluoride, to keep milk for 72 hours. Under the name
The most important method, however, for pre- Thenardol (named for Th~nard, discoverer of hy-
paring hydrogen peroxide in large quantities and drogen peroxide) a solution of this substance in
high concentrations involves electrolysis of solu- anhydrous glycerin, stabilized with 8-hydroxy-
tions of sulfuric acid containing one or more of quinoline, has been found useful in treating infec-
i
its salts. Thus, by electrolysis of a concentrated tions of the eye, ear, mouth and skin (Brown
solution containing potassium bisulfate, ammo- et al., New Eng. 1. Mfed., 1946, 234, 468; Ann.
nium. sulfate and sulfuric acid, oxidation of sulfate Allergy, 1946, 4, 33; J.-Lancet, 1947, 67, 405;
to persulfate occurs at the anode and solid potas- Arch. Otolaryng., 1948, 48, 327; and others).
sium persulfate is separated. Treatment of this The action of the compound depends on the evo-
salt with strong sulfuric acid and steam hydrolyzes lution of hydrogen peroxide when in contact with
the persulfate with formation of hydrogen perox- water. It is supplied as Glycerite of Hydrogen
ide which may be distilled off, in concentrations Peroxide with Carbamide (International Pharma-
as high as 35 per cent H202. If desired, further ceutical Corp.). Urea peroxide is used in industry
concentration may be effected through two stages as an oxidizing, bleaching and polymerizing agent
of distillation, the final product containing up to in non-aqueous solutions.
90 per cent Of H202. Description.-"Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Such high test peroxide was developed during is a colorless liquid, odorless, or having an odor
World War II, principally by the Germans, as a resembling that of ozone. It is acid to litmus and
source of energy for the operation of submarine to the taste and produces a froth in the mouth. It
engines and for propulsion of rockets, torpedoes usually deteriorates upon standing or upon pro-'
and other military missiles. It is claimed that in tracted agitation, and rapidly decomposes when'
the presence of suitable catalysts it dissociates in- in contact with many oxidizing as well as reduc-
stantly into 5000 times its volume of steam and ing substances. When rapidly heated, it may de-
oxygen. Under standard conditions of tempera- compose suddenly. It is affected by light. Its
ture and pressure one volume of 90 per cent hy- specific gravity is about 1.01." U.S.P.
drogen peroxide releases 413 volumes of oxygen; Standards and Tests.-Identification.--On
the official hydrogen peroxide solution releases adding a drop of potassium dichromate T.S. to a'
approximately 10 times its volume of oxygen. The mixture of I ml. of hydrogen peroxide solution, 10'
high-test peroxide can be shipped in aluminum ml. of water containing 1 drop of diluted sulfuric
drums and tank cars; if the liquid is not permitted acid, and 2 ml. of ether, an evanescent blue color
to become contaminated no decomposition occurs. is produced in the aqueous layer; on agitation and "
If allowed to come in contact with combustible standing the color passes into the ether layer.'';
matter a fire may result. It is miscible with many Non-volatile residue.-Not over 30 mg. from 20'
organic liquids with which the official solution is ml. of hydrogen peroxide solution, the latter being
immiscible. For data on corrosion and stability evaporated on a water bath and the residue dried
studies of concentrated hydrogen peroxide see 1 hour at 1050. Acidity.-25 ml. of solution re-
Bellinger et al. (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1946, 38, 3 10). quires not more than 2.5 ml. of 0. 1IN sodium'
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Last modified: September 9, 2013