Percarbonic Acid Formula

Percarbonic acid, or carbonoperoxoic acid, is a derivative of hydrogen peroxide and other such substances. Its molecular formula is CH₂O₄. It is an unstable compound that decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. It can be determined by decomposing its salt with dilute sulphuric acid and then titrating the released H₂O₂ with permanganate solutions. Its hydrogen bond donor count is 2, while its hydrogen bond acceptor count is 4. It acts as a reactant in a “Nucleophilic Acylation” reaction.

Structure of Percarbonic Acid

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H₂CO₄. A central carbon is bonded to four oxygen molecules, and the two hydrogen atoms are bound to two of the four oxygen atoms.

Percarbonic acid structure

Preparation of Percarbonic Acid

• Percarbonic acid can be produced by nucleophilic acylation of carbonochloridic acid and hydrogen peroxide. 

CHClO₂ +  H₂O₂ → CH₂O₄ + HCl

Preparation of Percarbonic Acid

• It can also be synthesized by nucleophilic acylation of bromocarboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

 CHBrO₂ +  H₂O₂ → CH₂O₄ + HBr

Preparation of Percarbonic Acid

Properties of Percarbonic Acid

Molecular Formula	CH2O4
SMILES Form	C(=O)(O)OO
IUPAC Name	Carbonoperoxoic acid
Other chemical names	Carbonoperoxoic acid  dihydroxy carboxylic acid   peroxycarbonic acid
Molecular weight	78.02 g/mol
Complexity	38.9

Chemical Properties of Percarbonic Acid

• Percarbonic acid reacts with hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) to form hydroxycarbamoperoxoic acid.

CH₂O₄ + NH₂OH → CH₃NO₄ + H₂O

• Percarbonic acid reacts with prop-2-en-1-ol (C₃H₆O) to form allyl hydroxy carbonate (C₄H₆O₃).

CH₂O₄ + C₃H₆O → C₄H₆O₃ + H₂O₂

FAQs on Percarbonic Acid Formula

Question 1: Calculate the molar mass of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

We know that the chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H₂CO₄.

The atomic mass of a hydrogen atom = 1.00794

The atomic mass of a carbon atom = 12.0107

The atomic mass of an oxygen atom = 15.9994

Now, the molar of percarbonic acid = 2 × 1.00794 + 12.0107 + 4 × 15.9994

= 2.01588 + 12.0107 + 63.9976 = 78.02418 g/mol

So, the molar mass of percarbonic acid is 78.02418 g/mol.

Question 2: What is the chemical formula of percarbonic acid?

Answer:

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H₂CO₄. A central carbon is bonded to four oxygen molecules, and the two hydrogen atoms are bound to two of the four oxygen atoms.

Question 3: How is percarbonic acid prepared?

Answer:

• Percarbonic acid can be produced by nucleophilic acylation of carbonochloridic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

CHClO₂ +  H₂O₂ → CH₂O₄ + HCl

• It can also be synthesized by nucleophilic acylation of bromocarboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

CHBrO₂ +  H₂O₂ → CH₂O₄ + HBr

Question 4: Mention some properties of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H₂CO₄. Its molar mass is 78.02 g/mol and it has a complexity of 38.9. Its hydrogen bond donor count is 2, while its hydrogen bond acceptor count is 4.

Question 5: Mention some chemical properties of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

• Percarbonic acid reacts with hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) to form hydroxycarbamoperoxoic acid.

CH₂O₄ + NH₂OH → CH₃NO₄ + H₂O

• Percarbonic acid reacts with prop-2-en-1-ol (C₃H₆O) to form allyl hydroxy carbonate (C₄H₆O₃).

CH₂O₄ + C₃H₆O → C₄H₆O₃ + H₂O₂