Peroxybenzoic acid
Encyclopedia
Peroxybenzoic acid is a simple peroxy acid
. It may be synthesized from benzoic acid
and hydrogen peroxide
, or by the treatment of benzoyl peroxide
with sodium methoxide
, followed by acidification.
Like other peroxyacids, it may be used to generate epoxide
s, such as styrene oxide
from styrene:
Peroxy acid
A peroxy acid is an acid which contains an acidic -OOH group. The two main classes are those derived from conventional mineral acids, especially sulfuric acid, and the organic derivatives of carboxylic acids...
. It may be synthesized from benzoic acid
Benzoic acid
Benzoic acid , C7H6O2 , is a colorless crystalline solid and the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. The name derived from gum benzoin, which was for a long time the only source for benzoic acid. Its salts are used as a food preservative and benzoic acid is an important precursor for the synthesis...
and hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
, or by the treatment of benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound in the peroxide family. It consists of two benzoyl groups bridged by a peroxide link. Its structural formula is [C6H5C]2O2. It is one of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and the scale of its production...
with sodium methoxide
Sodium methoxide
Sodium methoxide is a chemical compound, with formula CH3ONa. This colourless solid, which is formed by the deprotonation of methanol, is a widely used reagent in industry and the laboratory...
, followed by acidification.
Like other peroxyacids, it may be used to generate epoxide
Epoxide
An epoxide is a cyclic ether with three ring atoms. This ring approximately defines an equilateral triangle, which makes it highly strained. The strained ring makes epoxides more reactive than other ethers. Simple epoxides are named from the parent compound ethylene oxide or oxirane, such as in...
s, such as styrene oxide
Styrene oxide
Styrene oxide is an epoxide derived from styrene. It may be prepared by epoxidation of styrene with peroxybenzoic acid, in the Prilezhaev reaction:- Toxicology :...
from styrene:
