Peroxymonosulfuric acid

Peroxymonosulfuric acid, also known as persulfuric acid, peroxysulfuric acid, or as Caro's acid, is H₂SO₅, a colorless solid melting at 45 °C. In this acid, the S(VI) center adopts its characteristic tetrahedral geometry; the connectivity is indicated by the formula HO-O-S(O)₂-OH.

H₂SO₅ is sometimes confused with H₂S₂O₈, known as peroxydisulfuric acid. The disulfuric acid, which appears to be more widely used as its alkali metal salts, has the structure HO-S(O)₂-O-O-S(O)₂-OH.

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History

H₂SO₅ was first described by Heinrich Caro, for whom it is named.

Synthesis and production

The laboratory scale preparation of Caro's acid involve the combination of chlorosulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide.

H₂O₂ + ClSO₂OH ⇌ H₂SO₅ + HCl

Large scale production of Caro's acid is usually done on site, due to its instability. According to the patent by Martin, Caro's acid is produced by reacting >85% sulfuric acid and >50% hydrogen peroxide ("Piranha solution").

H₂O₂ + H₂SO₄ ⇌ H₂SO₅ + H₂O

Uses in industry

H₂SO₅ has been used for a variety of disinfectant and cleaning applications, e.g., swimming pool treatment and denture cleaning. Alkali metal salts of H₂SO₅ show promise for the delignification of wood.

Ammonium, sodium, and potassium salts of H₂SO₅ are used in the plastics industry as polymerization initiators, etchants, desizing agents, soil conditioner, and for decolorizing and deodorizing oils.

Potassium peroxymonosulfate, KHSO₅, is the potassium acid salt of peroxymonosulfuric acid. It is widely used as an oxidizing agent.

Dangers

As with all strong oxidizing agents, peroxysulfuric acid should be kept away from organic compounds such as ethers and acetones because of its ability to peroxidize the compound, creating a highly unstable molecule such as Acetone Peroxide.

References

• Martin, P. L. (USA). U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. (2005), 21 pp. CODEN: USXXCO US 2005031530 A1 20050210 Patent written in English. Application: US 2004-878176 20040628. Priority: US 2003-494009 20030807. CAN 142:179838 AN 2005:122569 CAPLUS
• "Treatment of Softwood Kraft Pulps with Peroxymonosulfate Before Oxygen Delignification. Springer, E. L.; McSweeny, J. D. Tappi Journal (1993), 76, 194-9.