What is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen?

1 Answer
Jacob T.
Jul 25, 2018

#2 color(white)(l) "H"_2 "O"_2 (aq) stackrel("MnO"_2)(to) 2color(white)(l) "H"_2 "O" (l) + "O"_2 (g)#

Explanation:

Two moles of hydrogen peroxide #"H"_2 "O"_2# decomposes to produce two moles of water #"H"_2 "O"# and one mole of oxygen gas #"O"_2 (g)#, which then bubbles off.

Both heating and the presence of a heterolytic catalyst #"MnO"_2#- which provides an activation site for the reaction to proceed- can speed up this process.

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