Download PDF
Synlett 2010(19): 2969-2970  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1258997
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Sodium Percarbonate: A Versatile Oxidizing Reagent

Nadiya Koukabi*
Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517838683, Iran
e-Mail: n.kokabi@gmail.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 November 2010 (online)

   Permissions and Reprints All articles of this category

Introduction

Sodium percarbonate (SPC, Na2CO3˙1.5H2O) is an inorganic, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, stable, and easily handled reagent that has an excellent shelf life. The name ‘sodium percarbonate’ does not reflect the structure or true nature of the material. Its erroneous name is due to successive confusions in its structure. [¹] [²] The structure of SPC (Figure  [¹] ) has been determined, the cohesion of the adduct being due to hydrogen bonding between carbonate ions and hydrogen peroxide molecules. [³] [4] Therefore, a more judicious appellation of SPC is ‘sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate’. [5] The structure of SPC has led it to be considered as a solid form, [6] or dry carrier of hydrogen peroxide.

SPC is relatively soluble in water (at 20 ˚C, 140 g/L) and the pH of 1% aqueous solution of it is ca. 10.5. [7] The hydrogen peroxide present in SPC is spontaneously released in water. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is not readily available and furthermore, it is more risky to handle. Consequently, the ability of SPC to release oxidative species in an organic medium has made it an useful reagent in organic synthesis. [8-¹¹]

Figure 1 Structure of sodium percarbonate

Scheme 1 Preparation of sodium percarbonate¹²