15 Facts on H2SO4 + H2O2: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Sulphuric acid is a highly viscous acid and absorbs moisture from the air and, Hydrogen peroxide is known for its amphoteric nature. Let us discuss the reactions of  H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂.

H₂SO₄ is an acid which is also known as oil of vitriol, immiscible with water and is used in the laboratory for analysis of various chemical species, on the other side, H₂O₂is an inorganic solvent used as a bleaching agent in industries and deep blue in color.

In the following parts of this article, we will discuss the product of the reaction H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ with their net ionic products, reaction enthalpy, conjugate pairs, and type of reaction.

What is the product of H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂

H₂SO₅ (peroxymonosulphuric acid) and H₂O are the products of the reaction H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂.

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ = H₂SO₅ + H₂O

What type of reaction is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂

The reaction H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is a combination reaction, as the reactants combine to form a product H₂SO₅ (Caro’s acid)  which is a highly activated oxidizing agent.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂

The equation is balanced using the following these steps-

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ = H₂SO₅ + H₂O

• Name the reactants and products with alphabets A, B, C, and D.

• A H₂SO₄ + B H₂O₂ = c H₂SO₅ + D H₂O

• Modify the atoms with suitable numbers.

• H –>. A, B, C, D, S –> A, C, O –> A, B, C, D,

• Multiply the coefficients with suitable numbers.

• A = 1, B = 1, C = 1, D = 1

• To write the final equation reduce the lowest integer value

• Thus, the balanced equation is

• H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ = H₂SO₅ + H₂O

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ titration

H₂SO₄ cannot be titrated with H₂O₂ because of the amphoteric nature of H₂O₂ as it can produce both acid and base due to which it is not possible to calculate the unknown concentration and endpoint of the reactant.

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is –

H⁺ + HSO^4- + 2H⁺+ 2O^– =  HSO^5- +  H⁺ + OH^– + H⁺

To drive the net ionic equation following steps are used

• Write the full reaction with respective states.

• H₂SO₄ (l) + H₂O₂ (l) = H₂SO₅ (l) + H₂O (l)

• Split the atoms into ions.

• Thus, the net ionic equation is

• H⁺ + HSO^4- + 2H⁺+ 2O^– =  HSO^5- +  H⁺ + OH^– + H⁺

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂  conjugate pairs

• HSO^4- is the conjugate base for acid H₂SO₄ after its protonation.

• H₂O₂ is amphoteric in nature and does not form any conjugate pairs.

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ intermolecular forces

• The covalent bond and strong electrostatic force of attraction are the intermolecular forces present in H₂SO₄.

• Dipole-dipole and the London dispersion forces with hydrogen bonds are present in H₂O₂.

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ reaction enthalpy

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ reaction enthalpy is -1005.2 kJ/mole

Molecule	Enthalpy
H2SO4	– 814 KJ/mol
H2O2	191.2 KJ/mole

• So, the total enthalpy is =Enthalpy of H₂SO₄ – Enthalpy of H₂O₂
• (– 814 KJ/mole) – (191.2 KJ/mole)
• = -1005.2 kJ/mole

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ a buffer solution

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is not a buffer solution as H₂O₂ is amphoteric and can form both acids and bases which will not allow the pH to increase more than 7.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ a complete reaction

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is a complete reaction as the combination of atoms and H₂SO₅(Caro’s acid) formation take place which indicates that the reaction is complete and cannot react further.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ an exothermic or endothermic reaction

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is an exothermic reaction as the bond dissociation of H₂SO₄ and H₂O₂  takes place and release a large amount of heat in an aqueous medium.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ a redox reaction

 H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is not a redox reaction as the oxidation states of the reactants and products are the same throughout the reaction.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ a precipitation reaction

 H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is not a precipitation reaction as the reactant and the products both are in liquid states and H₂SO₅ is formed in an aqueous medium only without any precipitation.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ reversible or irreversible reaction

 H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂  is an irreversible reaction because it is an acid-base reaction in which after the formation of the acid H₂SO₅, it is not possible again to break the bonds between them to make them separate or to be reactants again.

Is H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ displacement reaction

 H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ is not a  displacement reaction because there is only exchanging of ions without displacing any atom, ion, or molecule throughout the reaction.

How to balance H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ + H₂O = H₃O + HSO₄ + O₂ + H₂O

The equation is balanced using the following steps-

H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ + H₂O = H₃O + HSO₄ + O₂ + H₂O

• Name the reactants and products with alphabets A, B, C, and D, E, F, G

• A H₂SO₄ +B H₂O₂ + C H₂O = D H₃O +E HSO₄ + F O₂ + G H₂O

• Modify the atoms with suitable numbers.

• H –. A, B, C, D, E, G  S –> A, E, O –> A, B, C, D, E, F, G

• Multiply the coefficients with suitable numbers.

• A = 1, B = 1, C = 1, D = 1, E = 1, F = 1, G = 1.

• To write the final equation reduce the lowest integer value

• Thus, the final equation is

• H₂SO₄ + H₂O₂ + H₂O = H₃O + HSO₄ + O₂ + H₂O

Conclusion

H₂SO₄ is an aid used for refining sugar and oil and can be used in chemical analysis too whereas, H₂O₂  is a deep blue color solvent slightly more viscous than water.