Substance profile
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid with a slightly sharp odor.
01 · Identification
What Hydrogen peroxide is
Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid with a slightly sharp odor. Its molecular formula is H2O2 and its molecular weight is 34.015 g/mol. It boils at 150 °C, melts at -0.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Hydrogen peroxide
- peroxide
- H2O2
- Albone
- Albone 35
- Albone Ds
- Baquashock
- Dihydrogen Dioxide
- Hipox
- Hybrite
- Hydrogen Dioxide
- Hydrogen Peroxide (35% To 52% By Weight)
- Hydrogen Peroxide (Conc.> 52%)
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution (30%)
- Hydroperoxide
- hydrogen peroxide solution ...%
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P312, P330, P331
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Hydrogen peroxide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 150.2 °C (302.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 141.11 °C (286 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 150.22 °C (302.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -0.43 °C (31.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -11.11 °C (12 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -0.39 °C (31.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.44 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.71 g/cm³ | HSDB | ||
| 1 g/cm³ | HSDB | ||
| Solubility | Very soluble in water | HSDB | |
| In water, 1X10+6 mgL at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Soluble in ether; insoluble in petroleum ether. Decomposed into water and oxygen by many organic solvents. | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.5001 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 1.97 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 1 mmHg | at 15.3 °C | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable. (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Vapor density | 1.02 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 1 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 457 °C (854.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Hydrogen peroxide
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Fire and explosion
Although pure hydrogen peroxide solutions are not usually explosive at atmospheric pressure, equilibrium vapor concentrations of hydrogen peroxide above 26 mol per cent (40 weight per cent) become explosive in a temperature range below the boiling point of the liquid.
Source: HSDB
A severe explosion hazard when highly concentrated or when pure hydrogen peroxide is exposed to: heat, mechanical impact, or detonation of a blasting cap, or is caused to decompose catalytically by metals (in order of decreasing effectiveness: osmium; palladium; platinum; iridium; gold; silver; manganese; cobalt; copper; lead).
Source: HSDB
Explodes on contact with alcohols + sulfuric acid; acetal + acetic acid + heat; acetic acid + n-heterocycles (above 50 °C); 2-amino-4-methyloxazole + iron(II) catalyst; aromatic hydrocarbons + trifluoroacetic acid; azeliac acid + sulfuric acid (above 45 °C); benzenesulfonic anhydride; tert-butanol + sulfuric acid; carboxylic acids; 3,5-dimethyl-3-hexanol + sulfuric acid; diphenyl diselenide (above 53 °C); 2-ethoxyethanol + polyacrylamide gel + toluene + heat; gadolinium hydroxide (above 80 °C); gallium + hydrochloric acid; hydrogen + palladium catalysts (has caused major industrial explosions); iron(II) sulfate + 2-methylpyridine + sulfuric acid; iron(II) sulfate + nitric acid + sodium carboxymethylcellulose (when evaporated); nitric acid + ketones (e.g., 2-butanone, 3-pentanone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, 3-methylcyclohexanone), trioxane (sensitive to heat, shock, or on contact with lead), methanol + tert-amines + platinum catalysts; nitric acid + soils; nitrogenous bases (e.g., ammonia, hydrazine hydrate, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine); organic compounds (e.g., glycerol, acetic acid, ethanol, aniline, quinoline, 2-phenyl-1,1-dimethylethanol, cellulose, charcoal); organic materials + sulfuric acid (especially if confined); water + oxygenated compounds (e.g., acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, methanol, 2-propanol, propionaldehyde); sulfuric acid (during evaporation); tetrahydrothiophene; vinyl acetate; alcohols + tin chloride; phosphorus pentoxide; phosphorous; nitric acid; stibnite; arsenic trisulfide; chlorine + potassium hydroxide + chlorosulfonic acid; copper sulfide; iron(II) sulfide; formic acid + organic matter; hydrogen selenide; hydrazine; lead dioxide; lead monoxide; lead(II) sulfide; manganese dioxide; mercuric oxide; mercury(I) oxide; molybdenum disulfide; organic matter, (2-methyl-1-phenyl-2-propanol + sulfuric acid); potassium permanganate; sodium iodate; thiodiglycol; uns-dimethyl hydrazine; iron(II) sulfate + 2-methylpyridine + sulfuric acid; mercuric oxide + nitric acid.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Hydrogen peroxide
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C. /Hydrogen peroxide solution (>/= 30% to <50%)/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Zinc, powdered metals, iron, copper, nickel, brass, iron and iron salts. /Hydrogen peroxide solution (>/= 30% to <50%)/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hydrogen peroxide in the storage compatibility matrix →
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