Question

Hydrogen peroxide is best kept in a refrigerator. Why?

Answer 1

Because it is unstable with respect to disproportionation.........

Explanation:

And so we examine the BALANCED disproportionation reaction:

`H-stackrel(-I)O-stackrel(-I)O-H(aq) rarr H_2stackrel(-II)O+1/2stackrel(0)O_2`

This reaction is kinetically slow, which is why we can store a bottle of hydrogen peroxide for a prolonged period; the decomposition will be slower at low temperature, and hence we store it in the fridge. Certain metal salts can dramatically increase the rate of the given reaction...........