Sodium Percarbonate

What is Sodium Percarbonate?

Sodium percarbonate (2 Na2CO3 3 H2O2) is an addition compound (adduct) of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 to sodium carbonate (soda, Na2CO3).

-Characteristics

Sodium percarbonate forms colorless crystals that dissolve well in water; the solution reacts strongly alkaline. The solid is irritating and corrosive. Under the influence of heat, the hydrogen peroxide is split off again from 50 ° C and further broken down into water and active oxygen. The reaction rate increases with increasing temperature.

-Usage

As a bleaching and oxidizing agent, sodium percarbonate is less of an environmental concern than sodium perborate, which was widely used in the past, because it contains no boron. Unlike sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate is not toxic to plants. Sodium percarbonate is a component of many detergents and dishwasher detergents. During the cleaning process, it releases oxygen from 60 ° C, which removes bleachable stains (including from tea, red wine, grass or fruit). The dyes are oxidized and therefore colorless, in some cases stain-forming substances are even converted into water-soluble substances and removed with the washing liquid. If the effect starts at temperatures below 60 ° C or 50 ° C, a bleach activator is added to the detergent.

In addition to various surfactants and enzymes, sodium percarbonate is the main active ingredient in many household bleaching detergents, which are advertised with terms such as "active oxygen" or the prefix "Oxi".

Technical data

Empirical formula Na2CO3 · 1,5 H2O2
Molar mass (M) 156,98 g/mol
ADR 5.1 II
WGK 1
CAS No. 15630-89-4
EG-Nr. 239-707-6
UN-Nr. 3378

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Hazard statements
H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H318 Causes serious eye damage
Precautionary statements
Precautionary statements - prevention
P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition
sources. No smoking
P220 Keep/store away from clothing/combustible materials
P280 Wear protective gloves/eye protection
Precautionary statements - response
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact
lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing
P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor