Catalytic Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 – Elephant’s Toothpaste Experiment

Catalytic Decomposition of H₂O₂ – Elephant’s Toothpaste Experiment

Elephant's toothpaste is a foamy substance formed as a result of rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Elephant’s toothpaste reaction experiment is generally used for classroom demonstrations as it requires fewer ingredients and makes a "volcano of foam".

Description:

H₂O₂ is decomposed by Iodide Ion. Iodide ion is used as a catalyst and these iodide ions come from KI (Potassium Iodide) or NaI (Sodium Iodide). This decomposition reaction liberates water, oxygen and heat.

Materials:

30% H₂O₂ (Hydrogen Peroxide)

1 Liter Graduated cylinder

KI (Potassium Iodide) or NaI (Sodium Iodide).

Food Color for fun

Liquid Dish Detergent

Procedure:

1.  Pour 50 mL of 30% H₂O₂ (Hydrogen Peroxide) in 1 L graduated cylinder.

2.  Then, add 3-4 drops of food color in 1 L graduated cylinder to make colored H₂O₂ solution.

3.  Then, start adding liquid dish detergent or soap from the side of 1 L graduated cylinder to make a small layer of liquid dish detergent or soap over colored H₂O₂ solution.

4.  With the help of small beaker add KI or NaI in the cylinder containing H₂O₂ solution. As a result of reaction, oxygen gas generated and this gas creates large amount of colored foam. This foam comes out of graduated cylinder.

Discussion:

Decomposition of H₂O₂ (Hydrogen Peroxide) yields O₂ (oxygen) and H₂O (water). Reaction is catalyzed by I^- (Iodide Ion); These Iodide Ion comes from KI or NaI

Reaction-

H₂O₂ (Aq) + I^-1 (Aq) ---> H₂O (liquid) + IO^- (Aq)

IO^- (Aq) + H₂O₂ (Aq) ---> H₂O (liquid) +O₂ (g) + I^- (Aq)

Overall Reaction-

2H₂O₂ (Aq) ---> 2H₂O (liquid) +O₂ (g)

Safety:

Wear proper protective equipment likes hand-gloves and safety goggles when preparing and demonstrating this experiment. Remember concentrated H₂O₂ (Hydrogen Peroxide) can cause burns.

Video of Catalytic Decomposition of H₂O₂ – Elephant’s Toothpaste Experiment:

Aldol Reaction

Aldol Addition / Aldol Reaction

Aldol Addition Reaction

 The name ALDOL is taken from Aldehyde and Alcohol.

Mechanism of Aldol Reaction

Aldol Reaction Mechanism - Acid Catalyzed and Base Catalyzed

 If we control kinetic condition for aldol reactions then mixed aldol addition reactions may be used for the preparation of the adducts that can not be obtain selectively.

This method begins with irreversible production of  kinetic enolate, for example by employ the sterically or delayed lithium-amide-base like LDA known as lithiumdiisopropylamide and abbreviated as LDA.

Baeyer Villiger Oxidation

Baeyer Villiger Oxidation Reaction

Baeyer Villiger Oxidation

The Baeyer Villiger Oxidation is  a oxidation reaction in which oxidative cleavage of a C-C bond near to a carbonyl group happen, which leads to conversion of ketone to ester or cyclic ketone to lactone. Baeyer Villiger Oxidation may be carried out with peracids like MCBPA or with  a Lewis acid and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Mechanism of Baeyer Villiger Oxidation

Mechanism of Baeyer Villiger Oxidation