Peroxide
Peroxide
Peroxide (/pəˈrɒksaɪd/) is a compound containing an oxygen-oxygen single bond or the anion, O22−. The term peroxide also refers to compounds in which the oxygen atom is bonded to another oxygen atom.
Etymology
The term "peroxide" comes from the Latin word "peroxidus" which means "oxygenated". It was first used in the 19th century to describe compounds where oxygen is in a higher oxidation state.
Types of Peroxides
There are several types of peroxides, including:
- Hydrogen peroxide: A pale blue liquid which appears colorless in a dilute solution, and is a powerful oxidizer.
- Organic peroxide: Organic compounds containing a peroxide functional group (R-O-O-R'). They are useful in industry and medicine, but can be dangerous due to their ability to initiate explosive polymerization.
- Inorganic peroxide: Inorganic compounds that contain a peroxide group.
Uses
Peroxides are used in a variety of applications, including:
- In medicine, peroxides are used as disinfectants and antiseptics.
- In chemistry, peroxides are used as oxidizing agents.
- In hair care, hydrogen peroxide is used in hair bleaching.
Safety
Peroxides can be hazardous due to their strong oxidizing nature. They can cause skin and eye irritation, and ingestion or inhalation can lead to respiratory and digestive problems.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Peroxide
- Wikipedia's article - Peroxide
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