Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis: An Outlook beyond the Anthraquinone Process

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) is widely used in almost all industrial areas, particularly in the chemical industry and environmental protection. The only degradation product of its use is water, and thus it has played a large role in environmentally friendly methods in the chemical industry. Hydrogen peroxide is produced on an industrial scale by the anthraquinone oxidation (AO) process. However, this process can hardly be considered a green method. It involves the sequential hydrogenation and oxidation of an alkylanthraquinone precursor dissolved in a mixture of organic solvents followed by liquid–liquid extraction to recover H 2 O 2. The AO process is a multistep method that requires significant energy input and generates waste, which has a negative effect on its sustainability and production costs. The transport, storage, and handling of bulk H 2 O 2 involve hazards and escalating expenses. Thus, novel, cleaner methods for the production of H 2 O 2 are being explored. The direct synthesis of H 2 O 2 from O 2 and H 2 using a variety of catalysts, and the factors influencing the formation and decomposition of H 2 O 2 are examined in detail in this Review.