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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Chemistry » Structure of H2O2

Structure of H2O2

It's well known that the structure of H2O2 is non-planar. Learn more about the structure of H2O2 and its meaning in detail!

Table of Content
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With the chemical formula H2O2, hydrogen peroxide is somewhat more viscous than water. In the presence of light, it is unstable and decomposable. It can also be present in the human body.

The Lewis structure of H2O2 importance indicates its molecular geometry/shape, bond angle, hybridisation, and other topics will be discussed. Is H2O2 nonpolar or polar, and so forth.

H2O2 is a colourless liquid with a bitter taste when it is pure. It’s the most basic peroxide, with only one oxygen-oxygen link. When heated to boiling temperatures, H2O2 becomes extremely dangerous, even exploding and causing severe burns.

Let’s take a look at the structure of H2O2 meaning and importance!

Useful properties of Hydrogen peroxide

• It is a powerful oxidant.

• It has a sour flavour.

• H2O2 is noncombustible.

• It has a melting point of 0.43 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 150.2 degrees Celsius.

• In petroleum ether, it is insoluble.

Uses of Hydrogen peroxide

• It’s used to prevent infection from cuts or burns on the skin.

• It comes in handy while sanitising medical equipment.

• To clean and restock the refrigerator with food.

• To eliminate dust from fruits and vegetables.

• It serves as a sanitising agent.

What is the best way to sketch the Lewis structure for H2O2?

Two oxygen and two hydrogen atoms make two O-H bonds and one O-O link in the Lewis structure of H2O2. In the Lewis structure of H2O2 meaning, there are four lone pairs and three bound pairs.

The Lewis dot structure of H2O2 importance is fairly simple, and sketching it is similar to drawing other molecules. So let’s look at how to make this step by step.

Follow some steps to drawing the H2O2 Lewis dot structure

Determine the total number of valence electrons in H2O2.

The first step is to figure out how many valence electrons there are in it. So, let’s look at the hydrogen and oxygen periodic groups.

Because hydrogen has just one electron in its valence shell while oxygen belongs to the 16th group of the periodic table, its valence shell has six electrons.

Oxygen’s valence electron is 6

Hydrogen valence electron = 1

Total number of valence electrons available to draw the Lewis structure of H2O2 = 12 + 2*6 = 14

Place the least electronegative atom in the centre.

When hydrogen is present in a molecule, it doesn’t matter which atom is more or less electronegative; hydrogen always forms a Lewis structure outside of the molecule and only requires two electrons to complete its valence shell.

Make a single link between hydrogen and oxygen.

After inserting the hydrogen and oxygen, it’s time to join them with a single bond so that the structure of H2O2 can be drawn further.

Starting with the outer atom, place the remaining valence electrons.

We must now place the remaining valence electrons in the configuration mentioned above, beginning with the outer atom.

However, the outer atom in the Lewis structure of H2O2 is hydrogen, and hydrogen only requires two electrons to complete its valence shell.

 In the H2O2 structure, hydrogen already shares two electrons with the help of a single bond with an oxygen atom.

As a result, the remaining valence electrons were arranged around oxygen to complete the octet rule.

Complete the core atom octet and, if necessary, form a covalent link.

This is the last stage in drawing the Lewis structure of H2O2. Place the remaining valence electrons around the oxygen atoms in this phase to complete the octet rule.

Because we only have eight valence electrons left, and oxygen requires 8 electrons to complete its outer shell. Furthermore, with the help of single bonds, each oxygen already shares four electrons.

As a result, each oxygen only requires four valence electrons to complete its octets. As a result, the leftover valence electrons should be placed on the oxygen atom.

What is the molecular geometry and hybridisation of H2O2?

The molecular geometry of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a non-planar molecule and is even said to have an open book structure.

According to the VSEPR theory, lone pair electrons on oxygen atoms will oppose the electron cloud of another atom as much as possible to reduce repulsion. As a result, unbounded electron couples push down adjacent bonding pairs.

Is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) polar or nonpolar?

Many people are unsure whether H2O2 is polar or nonpolar. H2O2 is a polar molecule because its molecular geometry is bent, and the presence of a lone pair on the core atom (oxygen) results in unequal charge distribution, making it polar.

Conclusion

H2O2, a colourless liquid created as a solution of many strengths, is primarily used for bleaching cotton and other textiles, wood pulp, synthesis of other chemicals, as rocket fuel, and cosmetic and therapeutic uses. However, solutions containing more than 8% hydrogen peroxide are corrosive to the skin.

Related Links:

Actinides GuideNitration
Aluminium Chloride StructureOxalic-Acid vs KMnO4
Atoms and X-Rays Important Questionsp-Nitroacetanilide Study Material
Band TheoryPreparation of Aluminium Chloride
Lewis Dot StructuresReaction with Sulphuric Acid
Covalent and Ionic BondsSF4 Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles
Enthalpy of NeutralisationSteps in the Ring Closure
Formation of ComplexesTemporary Hardness of Water
Hepatic Portal SystemTypes of Impurity Defects
Law of ThermodynamicsVan’t Hoff Factor
faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

Why is the molecular geometry of the H2O2 Lewis structure bent, but the electron geometry is tetrahedral?

Ans : Because each oxygen in the structure of H2O2 has an Sp3 hybrid that adopts a tetrahedr...Read full

Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide on my skin?

Ans : A quick online hunt for using Hydrogen Peroxide for your skin can reveal disagreeing and freq...Read full

Should I clean a wound with hydrogen peroxide?

Ans : Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form peroxide. It’s a powerful oxidant that can be used ...Read full

How does hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) work as a bleaching agent?

Ans : The nascent oxygen reacts with the colouring substance, causing it to oxidise. Thus, hydrogen...Read full

Ans : Because each oxygen in the structure of H2O2 has an Sp3 hybrid that adopts a tetrahedral structure, the electron geometry of H2O2 is tetrahedral.

The O–H bond in the Lewis structure of H2O2 importance is forced downward and upward by the presence of a lone pair of oxygen, causing the molecular geometry of H2O2 to bend.

Ans : A quick online hunt for using Hydrogen Peroxide for your skin can reveal disagreeing and frequently confusing results. Some druggies tout it as an effective acne treatment and a skin lightener. It’s occasionally used as a detergent, but it can spawn severe side goods when used on your skin.

Hydrogen Peroxide is used to disinfect tools, bleach hair, and clean shells. It’s also useful in oral care and gardening. However, it may be discomforting to know that a touted skin treatment can also be used as a ménage cleanser.

Ans : Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form peroxide. It’s a powerful oxidant that can be used as a drawing agent to treat infections. The enzyme catalase causes this liquid to lather when applied topically. When the catalase comes into contact with the skin, the hydrogen peroxide is converted to water and oxygen gas.

When your skin absorbs Hydrogen Peroxide, the number of fibroblasts, a type of cell responsible for drawing and mending damaged tissues, decreases. So, it primarily removes the harmful stuff, but it also kills some of the beneficial effects that your body requires to heal properly.

Ans : The nascent oxygen reacts with the colouring substance, causing it to oxidise. Thus, hydrogen peroxide’s bleaching activity is due to the oxidation of colouring matter by nascent oxygen. It’s used to bleach silk, ivory, wool, and feathers.

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