Hydrogen peroxide as an oxidising agent?

Question

I am doing some work on redox reactions and I was wondering if anyone knows the half redox reaction when H2O2 is acting as an oxidising agent?

And does this half reaction depend on what it is reacting with or is it independent as long as it is oxidising something?

Thanks

Answer 1

Under alkaline conditions, HO-OH + 2 e- = 2 OH-

Under acid conditions, HO-OH + 2 H+ + 2e- = 2 H2O

The half reaction does not depend on what is being oxidised, because when you reduce hydrogen peroxide, it always ends up as water (or hydroxide, depending on the pH).

Answer 2

H2O2 + 2OH- --> 2 H2O + O2