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Benzoyl Peroxide is an organic compound that has C14H10O4 as a structural or chemical formula. Benzoyl peroxide is prepared when the reaction between benzoyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide takes place. A benzoyl group that is linked by two benzoyl groups, is considered as a compound.
Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties and is widely used in the treatment of acne. It is a peroxide that involves keratolytic, comedolytic, irritant, and anti-inflammatory actions. Oxygen is released by the benzoyl peroxide that is lethal to Propionibacterium acnes. Benzoyl peroxide looks like white powder or granules. It is an odorless chemical.
Read Also: Decomposition Reaction
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Benzoyl Peroxide: Structure
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In benzoyl peroxide, the chemical structure of a molecule includes the arrangements of the atoms as well as the chemical bonds that hold all the atoms jointly. The molecule of benzoyl peroxide involves 29 bonds. Benzoyl peroxide contains 5 rotatable bonds,14 multiple bonds, 2 double bonds, 2 six-membered rings,19 non-H bonds, and 12 aromatic bonds.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Structure
The carbon atoms that are present in the structure of benzoyl peroxide are to be placed at the edges and the hydrogen atoms that are attached to carbon atoms are not indicated. To render the carbon atom containing 4 bonds, each carbon atom is estimated to be associated with sufficient hydrogen atoms.
Check Important Notes for Redox Reactions
Benzoyl Peroxide: Properties
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The physical and the chemical properties of the benzoyl peroxide are mentioned below:
| Molecular or Chemical Formula | C14H10O4 |
| Molar Mass | 242.23 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 103 to 105°C |
| Solubility in Water | Sparingly soluble |
| Chemical Composition | Chemical composition includes sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, carbomer 940, benzoyl peroxide, benzoic acid and phenylacetone. |
| Boiling point | 80°C |
| Appearance | Colorless solid |
| Density | 1.334 g/cm3 |
Physical Properties Of Benzoyl Peroxide
Some of the physical properties of the benzoyl peroxide are given below:
- Benzoyl peroxide appears as a crystalline structure that has no color.
- Benzoyl peroxide contains a faint odor with a smell of benzaldehyde.
- It is soluble in alcohols and quite soluble in ethers and chloroform. Benzoyl peroxide is insoluble in water.
- Benzoyl peroxide is very volatile and dangerous especially when it is dry. It is highly reactive and can explode spontaneously.
- The compound decomposes at the temperature of 103°C.
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Chemical Properties Of Benzoyl Peroxide
The chemical properties of benzoyl peroxide are mentioned below:
- Benzoyl peroxide is an explosive and flammable chemical.
- Since it causes swelling in the skin, it can also be considered an irritant.
- Through the treatment of benzoyl chloride with barium peroxide, benzoyl peroxide is prepared.
- To yield highly reactive free radical products, benzoyl peroxide readily undergoes homolytic fission.
- When the benzoyl peroxide comes in contact with the human skin, it produces oxygen and benzoic acid.
Uses Of Benzoyl Peroxide
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In the year 1858, Liebig prepared benzoyl peroxide. In 1934, the treatment for wounds with BPO was introduced by Peck and Chagrin and the treatment of acne varioliformis and sycosis Vulgaris was introduced by Reynolds and Lyon in 1929.
Benzoyl peroxide has a very wide variety of uses because of which it is considered an effective organic peroxide.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Uses
The uses of benzoyl peroxide are mentioned below-
- If the concentrations are between 2.5% to 10%, it can be used to treat acne on the human skin.
- To extract ink and dye stains from many gadgets like vinyl dolls.
- In bread and cheese, it is used as a bleaching agent.
- It is used for tooth whitening and cosmetic hair coloring.
- Benzoyl peroxide is a very useful oxidant.
- The polymerization process of resins can be started by using benzoyl peroxide.
- It is used as a catalyst in the synthesis of thermosetting polyester resins.
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Effects Of Benzoyl Peroxide
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Dryness and flaking are the common side effects of benzoyl peroxide. Drying and flaking are considered mild effects so they can be easily reduced by applying an oil-free moisturizer daily. By following the directions that are given on the product package or by the dermatologist, the chances of causing the side effects can be reduced.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Effects
Benzoyl peroxide is a time taking chemical to work with, which is common. To see a noticeable improvement in your skin, it is advisable to wait for four weeks or more.
Severe redness, peeling, extreme burning, itching, swelling, and rashes may occur in some rare cases.
Things To Remember
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- An organic compound that has C14H10O4 as a structural or chemical formula is known as benzoyl peroxide.
- Benzoyl peroxide is prepared when the reaction between benzoyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide takes place.
- Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties and is widely used in the treatment of acne.
- Benzoyl peroxide looks like white powder or granules. It is an odorless chemical.
- In benzoyl peroxide, the chemical structure of a molecule includes the arrangements of the atoms as well as the chemical bonds that hold all the atoms jointly.
- Dryness and flaking are the common side effects of benzoyl peroxide.
- Benzoyl peroxide is a time taking chemical to work with, which is common
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Sample Questions
Ques: Where is benzoyl peroxide used? (1 mark)
Ans: The products of benzoyl peroxide are available as cleansers, foam, and lotion. Some products of benzoyl peroxide can only be purchased with prescriptions and some products do not require any prescriptions.
Ques: Explain the uses of benzoyl peroxide. (3 marks)
Ans: It is mainly used for skin treatment. It is necessary to wash your hands before and after using the benzoyl peroxide. If the skin starts drying or peeling off, use the benzoyl peroxide to treat the dry skin as benzoyl peroxide is very helpful in this case.
To discolor or bleach hair, towels, clothing, and bedding, benzoyl peroxide is very useful. The polymerization process of resins can also be started through benzoyl peroxide. It is used as a bleaching agent for bread and cheese also.
Ques: How does benzoyl peroxide work? (3 marks)
Ans: Propionibacterium acnes is a type of bacteria that is responsible for the breakout of acne. However, it cannot live in an environment that is rich in oxygen. So, benzoyl peroxide introduces oxygen into the pore that is affected thereby killing the bacteria. Because of the ability of benzoyl peroxide in helping to get rid of the follicle of excess dead skin, such treatments are considered to be very effective.
The chances of pore blockage will further lessen by clearing the pore of cellular debris. Benzoyl peroxide starts preventing breakouts before they start. Patients have to continue the treatment even after clearing the acne. By the continuation of the treatment, the risk for acne to come back can be avoided.
Ques: Describe the role of benzoyl peroxide in polymerization? (3 marks)
Ans: The role of benzoyl peroxide in the polymerization are the following-
- Benzoyl peroxide in the polymerization acts as a radical indicator.
- Adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine are the monomers.
- Buna S < polythene < nylon, 66.
Ques: How is Benzoyl Peroxide made? (2 marks)
Ans: Benzoyl peroxide can be produced from a reaction of benzoyl chloride, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide. This process is synthesized commercially and traces of benzoic acid still remain after the completion of the standard purification processes.
Ques: How is Benzoyl Peroxide used? (3 marks)
Ans: Benzoyl Peroxide is generally available in a variety of forms of creams, gels, cleansers, foams, lotions, etc. Benzoyl Peroxide can be purchased both with and without prescriptions.
To use benzoyl peroxide, first, wet the treatment area. Take a small amount of the benzoyl peroxide product and apply and massage into affected area. Let the product absorb into your skin thoroughly. After 1 or 2 minutes, rinse skin thoroughly with water. Gently pat the area with a towel.
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