Question

What is the decomposition equation for the compound H2O2?

Answer 1

Well this is a disproportionation reaction in which oxygen is both reduced and oxidized....

Explanation:

The oxygen in hydrogen peroxide is both oxidized and reduced...

`"Oxidation half reaction:"`
`H_2stackrel(-I)O_2(aq) rarrstackrel(0)O_2(g)uarr+2H^+ +2e^(-)`

`"Reduction half reaction:"`
`H_2stackrel(-I)O_2(aq) +2H^+ +2e^(-)rarr2H_2stackrel(-II)O`

And we adds the half-equations together to get....

`2H_2stackrel(-I)O_2(aq) +cancel(2H^+ +2e^(-))rarr2H_2stackrel(-II)O+stackrel(0)O_2(g)uarr+cancel(2H^+ +2e^(-))`

...finally....

`2H_2stackrel(-I)O_2(aq) rarr2H_2stackrel(-II)O+stackrel(0)O_2(g)uarr`

And hydrogen peroxide is known to be unstable with respect to disproportionation.