Rohan heard that instructions were given to the laboratory attendent to store a particular chemical i.e., keep it in the dark room, add some urea in it, and keep it away from dust. This chemical acts as an oxidising as well as a reducing agent in both acidic and alkaline media. This chemical is important for use in the pollution control treatment of domestic and industrial effluents.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

(i) The compound told in this passage is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). It can act both as oxidising and reducing agent in acidic and alkaline media. H₂O₂ is important for use in the pollution control treatment of domestic and industrial effluents.

(ii) H₂O₂ may undergo decomposition into H₂Oif it is placed in contact with sunlight or with dust particles. So it is kept in wax lined coloured bottles.

Another measure taken to prevent dissociation is by adding small amounts of negative catalyst like urea, glycerol, etc.