Question

A Laboratory attendant got an instruction from a chemistry teacher to store a particular chemical in the dark room and add some urea in it and keep it away from the dust. In both acidic and alkaline medium this chemical acts as reducing as well as oxidising agent and very useful in pollution control.
(i) Write the name of this compound.
(ii) Explain why such precautions are taken for storing this chemical.
(iii) Write the use of this compound.

Answer 1

i) The name of the compound is hydrogen peroxide and molecular formula is ${ H }_{ 2 }{ O }_{ 2 }$

ii) Hydrogen peroxide acts as oxidizing as well as reducing agent in both acidic and basic solution because oxidation state of hydrogen peroxide is -1, therefore, it can be reduced to hydroxide ion or oxidized to oxygen.

iii) Hydrogen peroxide should be stored in fireproof rooms where it is protected from direct sunrays.

iv) Uses:

♦ Hydrogen peroxide is used as bleaching agent.

♦ Used in manufacturing of inorganic chemicals.

♦ Mainly used to produce polyurethane, epoxides, and propylene oxide.

♦ Used in pharmaceuticals.

♦ 93% of Hydrogen Peroxide is used as rocket fuel.