Peroxysulfuric Acid

Peroxysulfuric Acid

 

(also called persulfuric acid), any of the oxy acids of sulfur that contain the peroxy group, —O—O—. Three peroxysulfuric acids are known: peroxymonosulfuric acid (H2SO5, also known as Caro’s acid), peroxydisulfuric acid (H2 S2 O8), and peroxytrisulfuric acid (H2 S3 O11). The most widely studied are H2SO5 and H2S2O8; their salts, which are called peroxysulfates, have also been widely studied. In the free state, H2SO5 and H2S2O8 occur as colorless crystals, with melting points of 45°C and 65°C, respectively; their aqueous solutions are obtained by electrolysis of sulfuric acid solutions. Peroxy- monosulfuric acid is a strong oxidizing agent that is used in organic synthesis. Peroxydisulfuric acid and its salts are also oxidizing agents, serving as sources of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).