10 EXAMPLES OF PEROXIDES - CHEMISTRY - 2025

Two examples of peroxides are sodium peroxide and barium peroxide. The first is a bleaching agent and the other was previously used as a source of hydrogen peroxide.

Peroxides are a class of chemical compounds in which two oxygen atoms are linked by a single covalent bond. This type of bonding occurs when the pairs of electrons of two atoms or ions are shared.

Hydrogen peroxide

On the other hand, various organic and inorganic peroxides are useful as bleaching agents and initiators of polymerization reactions. In addition, they are used in the preparation of hydrogen peroxide and other oxygen compounds.

Other examples of peroxides

Hydrogen peroxide

One of the most common examples of peroxides is hydrogen peroxide. Due to the growing concern about environmental contamination, this is an oxidant with unique characteristics since its by-product is only water.

Today, it is used in the bleaching of paper, cellulose and textiles. Similarly, it is a component of certain detergents.

Silver peroxide

It is a dark compound that acts as a powerful oxidizing agent. This does not hydrolyze easily.

Magnesium peroxide

Another example of peroxides is magnesium. It is whitish and its physical properties resemble magnesium oxide.

This peroxide is very poorly soluble in water, but dissolves easily in aqueous acid to produce hydrogen peroxide.

Calcium peroxide

Upon heating, calcium peroxide separates into oxygen and calcium oxide without melting. In terms of its uses, it serves to soften the dough in the bakery industry.

Strontium peroxide

Like other metal peroxides, this is a powerful oxidant when heated. Also, when dissolved in aqueous acid it produces hydrogen peroxide. Strontium peroxide is used in pyrotechnics.

Zinc peroxide

This peroxide is similar in appearance and behavior to magnesium peroxide. It is used as a powder in deodorants.

In addition, in the pharmacological industry, it is used in the treatment of infections and skin lesions.

Lithium peroxide

This is prepared with a solution of lithium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, followed by very careful drying.

Lithium peroxide is very soluble in water, and produces an alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution. Until now, no commercial uses have been developed for this product.

Butanone peroxide

Butanone peroxide acts as a hardening agent for fiberglass and reinforced plastics. In the same way, it is a curing agent for unsaturated polyester resins.

Cyclohexanone peroxide

It is used as a catalyst for the hardening of certain fiberglass resins. It is also a bleaching agent for flour, vegetable oils, fats, and waxes.

Benzoyl peroxide

There are many uses for this peroxide. In the polymer industry, it is used to initiate free radical polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl chloride and others.

Additionally, it can be used to cure silicone rubbers and certain resins, or to harden some fiberglass resins. In medicine, it is used in the treatment of acne. It is also used to whiten some foods.

References

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