2
$\begingroup$

I know that in an oxide oxygen's oxidation number is $-2$, in a peroxide oxygen's oxidation number is $-1$ and in a superoxide oxygen's oxidation number is $-\frac12$. So, how will I be able to detect that any compound is oxide or peroxide or superoxide?

For example, to get the oxidation number of $\ce{Mn}$ in $\ce{KMnO4}$ how will I determine whether $\ce{KMnO4}$ is an oxide, superoxide or peroxide? Is there any way?

$\endgroup$

3 Answers 3

6
$\begingroup$

generally the most universal way to prove this is X-ray crystallography. It allows to obtain crystal structure of target compound directly. It has, however, an inherent flaw: it can't reliably detect position of hydrogen atoms, so in some cases some uncertainty may remain.

In case obtaining crystal is impossible, the second option is NMR, that allows to get various info about atom's neighborhood, but interpreting NMR data is really hard. In case of superoxide, EPR may prove direct evidence.

Generally there is no way to detect such things from brutto-formula. For example, compound $\ce{CH2O2}$ may be either dioxirane (methylene peroxide) or formic acid. In practice, however, peroxides are really unstable, so in most cases if compound is not overloaded with oxygen (like, $\ce{H2SO5}$) and is reasonably stable towards thermal decomposition, it is most likely oxide and not peroxide. Peroxides are usually formed either from another peroxide or electrochemically, or (in rare cases) via cold oxidation with molecular oxygen. And there are exactly three common superoxides.

$\endgroup$
1
$\begingroup$

If you want to distinguish oxide, superoxide and peroxide ions, generally you can use their X-ray structure well. Oxide is a single oxygen ion, superoxide and peroxide is $O-O$ with approximate bond distance of 1.33 and 1.49 A respectively. Superoxides also have an unpaired spin which can be often detected (even if it is coupling with some other spins).

$\endgroup$
-2
$\begingroup$

If oxygen was with the metals of main group elements, the compound is peroxide, but if it was with nonmetals or other metals except for the metals of main group metals the compound is oxide. For example $\ce{KMnO4}$ is oxide it is composed of $\ce {K+}$ and $\ce{MnO4-}$ because there is manganese which is a metal that isnt among the main group elements group in the polyatomic ion. and the oxidation number of the $\ce{Mn}$ is $7^+$.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.