Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a strong oxidizer and contains a peroxide group, which has an oxygen-oxygen single bond. Peroxide bonds are unstable, which causes the compound to easily decompose. At room temperature, diluted hydrogen peroxide is colorless.

Figure 1. The decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat various inorganic and organic pollutant, as a bleaching agent in the paper and textile industries, and as a disinfectant. At high temperatures, or at the presence of a catalyst, purified hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water. When the rate of hydrogen peroxide decomposition is fast enough, hydrogen peroxide can be used as a monopropellant for submarines and satellites.