H2O2 act as both oxidising and reducing agent.
Oxygen is present in
−1 oxidation state, so it can be oxidised to
O2 as well as reduced to water.
⟶H2O−2 (Reduction) ⟶O20 (Oxidation)
H2O2 is miscible with water due to intermolecular
H-bonding. Due to open book like structure both
−OH groups are not in same plane and hence,
H2O2 is non-planar.
(a)
H2O2 structure in gas phase, dihedral angle is
111.5∘.
(b)
H2O2 structure in solid phase at
110K, dihedral angle is
90.2∘.
H2O2 used in treatment of effluents.