Substance profile
Sodium peroxide
Sodium peroxide is a yellowish-white, granular powder.
01 · Identification
What Sodium peroxide is
Sodium peroxide is a yellowish-white, granular powder. Its molecular formula is Na2O2 and its molecular weight is 77.978 g/mol. It boils at 657 °C, melts at 460 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as reactive agents - 1st degree.
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.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium 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 | 657 °C (1214.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Melting point | 460 °C (860 °F) | HSDB | |
| 675 °C (1247 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| Density | 2.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 2.805 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 2.805 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | SOLUBLE IN ACID; INSOLUBLE IN ALKALI | HSDB | |
| Freely sol in water, forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, the latter quickly decomp into oxygen and water | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Dangerous fire and explosion risk in contact with alcohols, acids. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Sodium 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
REACTS VIGOROUSLY WITH WATER & IN LARGE QUANTITIES MAY REACT EXPLOSIVELY. ... MIXTURES OF SODIUM PEROXIDE AND COMBUSTIBLE, ORGANIC OR READILY OXIDIZABLE SUBSTANCES ARE EXPLOSIVE.
Source: HSDB
SEVERAL BOXES OF THE PEROXIDE...EXPLODED WITH GREAT VIOLENCE DURING HANDLING OPERATIONS. IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT CONTAMINATION WITH COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL HAD OCCURRED. /MIXTURES OF SODIUM PEROXIDE WITH EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE EXPLOSIVE: ALUMINUM CHLORIDE, AMMONIUM PEROXODISULFATE, CALCIUM ACETYLIDE, HYDROXY COMPOUNDS, METALS, METALS WITH CARBON DIOXIDE, PHOSPHORUS TRICHLORIDE, CARBON, PHOSPHORUS, AND WATER./
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sodium peroxide
Storage conditions
KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED & PROTECTED FROM CONTACT WITH ORGANIC OR OXIDIZABLE SUBSTANCES.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
REACTS VIOLENTLY WITH WATER, ORG MATTER, CHARCOAL, GLYCEROL, DIETHYL ETHER, OR PHOSPHORUS.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sodium peroxide in the storage compatibility matrix →