What is the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen?

1 Answer
Jul 25, 2018

2 color(white)(l) "H"_2 "O"_2 (aq) stackrel("MnO"_2)(to) 2color(white)(l) "H"_2 "O" (l) + "O"_2 (g)

Explanation:

Two moles of hydrogen peroxide "H"_2 "O"_2 decomposes to produce two moles of water "H"_2 "O" and one mole of oxygen gas "O"_2 (g), which then bubbles off.

Both heating and the presence of a heterolytic catalyst "MnO"_2- which provides an activation site for the reaction to proceed- can speed up this process.