Bleach
Classes of bleaches
Hydrogen peroxide itself (H 2O 2). It is used, for example, to bleach wood pulp and hair or to prepare other bleaching agents like the perborates, percarbonates, peracids, etc. Sodium percarbonate (Na 2H 3CO 6), an adduct of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate ("soda ash" or "washing soda", Na 2CO 3). Dissolved in water, it yields a solution of the two products, that combines the degreasing action of the carbonate with the bleaching action of the peroxide. Sodium perborate (Na 2H 4B 2O 8). Dissolved in water it forms some hydrogen peroxide, but also the perborate anion (B(OOH)(OH)− 3) which can perform nucleophilic oxidation. Peracetic (peroxoacetic) acid (H 3CC(O)OOH). Generated in situ by some laundry detergents, and also marketed for use as industrial and agricultural disinfection and water treatment. benzoyl peroxide ((C 6H 5COO) 2). It is used in topical medications for acne and to bleach flour. Ozone (O 3). While not properly a peroxide, its mechanism of action is similar. It is used in the manufacture of paper products, especially newsprint and white Kraft paper. Potassium persulfate (K2 S2O8) and other persulfate salts. It, alongside ammonium and sodium persulfate, are common in hair lightening products. Permanganate salts such as Potassium permanganate (KMnO4). In the food industry, other oxidizing products like bromates are used as flour bleaching and maturing agents.
Bleach-22