Question

How do oxides, peroxides, and superoxides react? Please go into detail.

Answer 1

Reactivity of any type of oxides, peroxides or superoxides are explained on basis of reaction medium. Since, no such proper medium has been asked then we can just explain some outline of their reactivity.

Oxides: These are the compound having one oxygen atom minimum bonded with another element or more elements. In case of , its bonding with metals , it possesses -2 oxidation state of oxygen. The oxides are of three basic types like acidic oxides as they react with base, basic oxides that react with acid and amphoteric which reacts in both conditions. Metal oxides are normally basic in nature while nonmetals form acidic oxides. They form hydroxides when treated with water.

Peroxides: The peroxides are the compound with formula O₂^-2,in which there is only a single bond between two Oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms in a peroxide ion have -1 oxidation state.

Superoxides: These are normally known as hyperoxides which have a formula  O₂^-,in which only one electron is lost from a dioxygen. In this type of oxide the oxidation number for each oxygen atom is -1/2.