The correct statements about H2O2 are
(A) used in the treatment of effluents.
(B) used as both oxidi

Q: Why is the oxidation state of oxygen in $H_2O_2$ -1 and not -2?

In peroxides, there is an O-O single bond. Since oxygen is bonded to itself, the electrons in that bond are shared equally. The other bond is with hydrogen (less electronegative), giving each oxygen a -1 charge.

Q: How can a substance be both an oxidising and a reducing agent?

It depends on its oxidation state. If an element is in an intermediate oxidation state (like -1 for oxygen, between 0 and -2), it can either gain electrons (reduce) or lose electrons (oxidise) depending on the reacting species.

Q: Why is the dihedral angle different in gas and solid phases?

In the solid phase, $H_2O_2$ molecules are packed closely together, and intermolecular hydrogen bonding alters the geometry, reducing the dihedral angle from $111.5^\circ$ (gas) to $90.2^\circ$ (solid).

Q: What exactly is a dihedral angle?

A dihedral angle is the angle between two intersecting planes. In $H_2O_2$, it's the angle between the plane containing the H-O-O atoms and the plane containing the O-O-H atoms.

Q: Why doesn't $H_2O_2$ have a linear structure like $CO_2$?

Oxygen has two lone pairs of electrons. According to VSEPR theory, these lone pairs repel the bond pairs, causing a bent shape at each oxygen atom, leading to the non-planar open book structure.

Question

The correct statements about $H_2O_2$ are
(A) used in the treatment of effluents.
(B) used as both oxidising and reducing agents.
(C) the two hydroxyl groups lie in the same plane.
(D) miscible with water.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

Options:

(A) (A), (B), (C) and (D)

(B) (A), (B) and (D)

(C) (B), (C) and (D)

(D) (A), (C) and (D)

Sigma Percentile · Accepted Answer

The chemistry of Hydrogen Peroxide ($H_2O_2$) is as fascinating as it is useful. Often found in our medicine cabinets, this simple molecule hides a complex and elegant structure, along with a versatile chemical personality. Let's break down its properties statement by statement to uncover the truth.

### The Environmental Savior

Statement (A) claims that $H_2O_2$ is used in the treatment of effluents.

Imagine a stream of industrial wastewater, heavily polluted with toxic cyanides and lacking oxygen. Enter Hydrogen Peroxide. It acts as a powerful, yet incredibly clean, oxidising agent. It reacts with the toxins, breaking them down into harmless byproducts, and in the process, it releases oxygen, restoring the aerobic conditions of the water. Because its only byproduct is water, it is hailed as a champion of green chemistry. Therefore, this statement is absolutely **correct**.

### The Chemical Chameleon

Statement (B) suggests that $H_2O_2$ can act as both an oxidising and a reducing agent.

To understand this, we must look at the heart of the molecule: the oxygen atoms. In peroxides, oxygen exists in a rare **$-1$ oxidation state**. This is an intermediate state.

If $H_2O_2$ encounters a strong reducing agent, it eagerly accepts electrons, dropping its oxidation state to $-2$ (forming $H_2O$). Here, it acts as an **oxidising agent**. 
$$H_2O_2 + 2H^+ + 2e^- \rightarrow 2H_2O$$

Conversely, if it meets a strong oxidising agent, it can be forced to give up electrons, raising its oxidation state to $0$ (forming $O_2$ gas). In this scenario, it plays the role of a **reducing agent**.
$$H_2O_2 \rightarrow O_2 + 2H^+ + 2e^-$$

Because it can swing both ways, statement (B) is **correct**.

### The Open Book Structure

Statement (C) states that the two hydroxyl ($-OH$) groups lie in the same plane.

This is a classic trap! If you draw $H_2O_2$ flat on a piece of paper, it looks planar. But in reality, the molecule adopts a unique **"open book" structure**. Imagine the $O-O$ bond as the spine of a book, and the two $O-H$ bonds as pages opened at an angle.

Because of the repulsion between the lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atoms, the two pages cannot lie flat. They are separated by a **dihedral angle**, which is approximately $111.5^\circ$ in the gas phase and $90.2^\circ$ in the solid phase. Since the $-OH$ groups are in different planes, the molecule is strictly **non-planar**. Thus, statement (C) is **incorrect**.

### The Water Companion

Statement (D) claims that $H_2O_2$ is miscible with water.

Miscibility is all about intermolecular forces. Both water ($H_2O$) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) are highly polar molecules equipped with $O-H$ bonds. When mixed, they engage in an extensive network of **intermolecular hydrogen bonding**. They hold onto each other so tightly and seamlessly that they mix in all proportions. Therefore, statement (D) is **correct**.

### Final Conclusion

After a thorough investigation, we find that statements (A), (B), and (D) are factually sound, while statement (C) falls flat. This leads us directly to our final answer.

Select Answer:

Visualized Solution

$H_{2} O_{2} Properties$

$Statement (A): Treatment of Effluents$

$Statement (B): Oxidising and Reducing Agent$

$Statement (C): Structure of H_{2} O_{2}$

$Statement (D): Miscibility with Water$

$Final Answer$

The Sigma Insight: Hydrogen, Hydrides and Water

The Environmental Savior

The Chemical Chameleon

The Open Book Structure

The Water Companion

Final Conclusion

Similar Questions

From the following statements regarding $H_{2} O_{2}$ , choose the incorrect statement.

(A) $HOCl + H_{2} O_{2} ⟶ H_{3} O^{+} + Cl^{-} + O_{2}$ (B) $I_{2} + H_{2} O_{2} + 2 OH^{-} ⟶ 2 I^{-} + 2 H_{2} O + O_{2}$ Choose the correct option.

Which one of the following statements about water is false?

The chemical nature of hydrogen peroxide is

Hydrogen peroxide, in the pure state, is