Barium peroxide

Barium peroxide is the chemical compound with the formula BaO₂. This grey-white solid is one of the most common inorganic peroxides. Barium peroxide is an oxidizing agent, which is used for bleaching. It is used in fireworks as an oxidizer, which also gives a vivid green colour, as do all barium compounds.

Barium peroxide is a peroxide, containing O₂²⁻ subunits wherein the oxygen atoms bond to each other as well as to the barium. The solid adopts the same structure as calcium carbide, CaC₂.

Barium peroxide arises by the reversible absorption of O₂ by barium oxide. The oxygen is released above 700°C.

BaO + 1/2 O₂ ⇌ BaO₂

Hydrogen peroxide can also be prepared via the related reaction:

BaO₂ + H₂SO₄ → H₂O₂ + BaSO₄

Footnotes