Sodium Percarbonate - C2H6Na4O12

What is Sodium Percarbonate?

Sodium Percarbonate is a chemical compound used as an alternative for hydrogen peroxide with the formula C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂.Sodium Percarbonate is prepared by adding sodium peroxide slowly to ice-cold absolute alcohol. Sodium percarbonate dissolves relatively fast in water, releasing sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide in the solution. The slight amount of moisture which are present already in the atmosphere are sufficient to bring about the decomposition of the percarbonate.

Other names – Peroxy sodium carbonate, Oxyper

Sodium Percarbonate Structure – C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂

Physical Properties of Sodium Percarbonate – C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂

Chemical Properties of Sodium Percarbonate – C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂

• Sodium percarbonate reacts with sodium bisulfate forms sodium persulfate, sodium carbonate and water. The chemical equation is given below.

C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂ + 6NaHSO₄ → 3Na₂S₂O₈ + 2Na₂CO₃ + 6H₂O

Uses of Sodium Percarbonate – C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂

• Sodium percarbonate is antiseptic and deodorant. In aqueous solution it may be used as an antiseptic for wounds in place of hydrogen peroxide.
• It has a beneficial effect of bicarbonate hydrogen peroxide mixtures in the area of oral hygiene and therapy.
• Used as an alternative for alkaline treatments. The minerals which can be bleached using H₂O₂ include chalk, rutile, holmites and natural silicates.