Calcium peroxide

Calcium peroxide
Identifiers
CAS number 1305-79-9 Y
PubChem 14779
ChemSpider 14096 Y
UNII 7FRO2ENO91 Y
ChEBI CHEBI:48233 Y
RTECS number EW3865000
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula CaO2
Molar mass 72.077 g/mol
Appearance white to yellow powder
Density 2.91 g/cm3
Melting point

~200 °C

Solubility in water decomposes
Acidity (pKa) 12.5
Structure
Crystal structure Tetragonal
Space group D174h, I4/mmm, tI6
Coordination
geometry
6
Hazards
EU Index Not listed
LD50
>5000 mg/kg (oral, rat)
>10000 mg/kg (dermal, rat)
Related compounds
Other anions Calcium oxide
Other cations Strontium peroxide
Barium peroxide
Sodium peroxide
 Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Calcium peroxide (CaO2) is a solid peroxide with a white or yellowish color. For all practical purposes calcium peroxide is insoluble in water but will dissolve in acid to form hydrogen peroxide. When in contact with water it will immediately begin to decompose releasing oxygen.

Applications

Calcium peroxide is manufactured to varying specifications and purity and can be used in different areas of industry and agriculture. In agriculture it is used as an oxygen fertilizer, and is also used in the presowing treatments of rice seed. Also, calcium peroxide has found use in the aquaculture industry as it is used to oxygenate and disinfect water, and in the ecological restoration industry as it is used in the treatment of soils. Calcium Peroxide is used in a similar manner to magnesium peroxide for environmental restoration programs. It is used to restore soil and groundwater contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons by stimulating aerobic microbial degradation of the contaminants in a process known as Enhanced In-Situ Bioremediation.

As a food additive it has the E number E930 and is used as flour bleaching agent and improving agent.