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What is a peroxide linkage?

1 Answer

Jan 2, 2016

A peroxide linkage is simply a $O - O$ $O-O$ bond.

Explanation:

Hydrogen peroxide is simply $H - O - O - H$ $H-O-O-H$ , $H_{2} O_{2}$ $H_2O_2$ .

The oxygen-oxygen bond is quite weak, and the bond can homolyze as shown:

$H_{2} O_{2} \to 2 H O \cdot$ $H_2O_2 rarr 2HO*$

Given our definition of oxidation numbers, the oxidation number of $O$ $O$ in peroxide is necessarily $- I$ $-I$ .

The hydroxyl radical $H O \cdot$ $HO*$ is neutral and is very reactive.

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