Zinc peroxide

Zinc peroxide (ZnO₂) is a chemical compound of zinc that appears as a bright yellow powder at room temperature. It was historically used as a surgical antiseptic. More recently zinc peroxide has also been used as an oxidant in explosives and pyrotechnic mixtures. Its properties have been described as a transition between ionic and covalent peroxides.^[3]

Zinc peroxide

Zn2+ [O22−]
Names
Other names zinc dioxide zinc bioxide
Identifiers
CAS Number	1314-22-3 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ECHA InfoCard	100.013.843
EC Number	215-226-7
PubChem CID	10129902
UNII	0I969DVM77 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5051658
InChI InChI=1S/O2.Zn/c1-2;/q-2;+2 Key: IPTOGCUGCFHDSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Zn+2].[O-][O-]
Properties
Chemical formula	ZnO2
Molar mass	97.408 g/mol
Appearance	white-yellowish powder
Density	1.57 g/cm3
Melting point	212 °C (414 °F; 485 K) (decomposes)
Acidity (pKa)	~7 (3% solution)
Band gap	3.8 eV (indirect) [1]
Structure
Crystal structure	Cubic
Space group	Pa3
Hazards
GHS labelling:[2]
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H271, H315, H319
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	3 0 1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Preparation and structure

Structure of solid zinc peroxide

Zinc peroxide can be synthesized through the reaction of zinc chloride and hydrogen peroxide.^[4]

According to X-ray crystallography, the compound consists of octahedral Zn(II) centers bonded to six distinct peroxide (O₂^2-) ligands. The overall motif is very similar to that for iron pyrite (FeS₂). The structure, with intact O-O bonds, makes clear that this material is a peroxide, not a dioxide.

Medical Use

The treatment of burrowing ulcers in the abdominal wall with zinc peroxide was first recorded in 1933 and throughout the 1940s ZnO₂ was used as a disinfectant in surgical .^[5] Zinc peroxide was, however, deemed ineffective against certain bacterial strains, such as Streptococcus viridans, staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, B. proteus, and B. pyocyoneus.

Safety

Zinc peroxide is hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact, or inhalation.^[6]