Chemical Industry-Oxidation

Over the past few years the importance of hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives as oxidising agents has grown considerably. In contrast to many other oxidising agents, hydrogen peroxide is attractive from an environmental viewpoint as it forms only water when its oxidising power is spent. Similarly, peroxyacids form organic acids which can often be recovered or recycled.

The advantages of hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives include:-

Solubility – Hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives can be soluble in water, many organic solvents and the substrates themselves.

Availability – Various grades of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid are now produced worldwide.

Mildness – Useful for sensitive materials as oxidations generally proceed under relatively mild conditions. Reactions are often specific and generally only a small excess of hydrogen peroxide or derivative is required.

Stability – Hydrogen peroxide loses less than 1% active oxygen content by weight per year under standard storage conditions.

Oxidation by hydrogen peroxide can be achieved under neutral, acid or alkaline conditions, as well as in the presence of catalysts. In some applications however, the oxidising power of hydrogen peroxide is insufficient and a more active oxidant such as a peroxyacid is required. These systems are widely used. Other systems include the use of hydrogen peroxide with haloacids and sodium perborate with acetic acid to generate oxidants in-situ.

The following list gives examples of applications of H202 for oxidations : alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, aromatic side-chains, aromatic nuclei, organic compounds containing nitrogen (amines) or sulphur and hydrogen halides.

For a more detailed discussion on this application of peroxygen technology please contact us

	INTEROX CG 35
	INTEROX CG 50
	INTEROX CG 60
	INTEROX CG 70
	INTEROX ST 35
	INTEROX ST 50
	INTEROX ST 60
	INTEROX ST 70

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