alleryHydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can act both as an oxidising agent AND as a reducing agent because:
AIt contains an O–H bond only
BIt dissociates to H₂ + O₂
CIt is fundamentally unstable
DOxygen here has the −1 state
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Oxygen here has the −1 state
1. In H₂O₂ each oxygen is in the unusual oxidation state −1.
2. O can go to −2 (reduced; H₂O₂ acts as oxidising agent) OR to 0 in O₂ (oxidised; H₂O₂ acts as reducing agent).
3. Intermediate states almost always allow both behaviours.
4. (D) is wrong; H₂O₂ decomposes to H₂O + O₂, not H₂.
_Source: syllabus Chem Ch 8 §8.2 Dual Behaviour of H₂O₂_
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