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Percarbonic Acid Formula

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

Percarbonic acid, or carbonoperoxoic acid, is a derivative of hydrogen peroxide and other such substances. Its molecular formula is CH2O4. It is an unstable compound that decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. It can be determined by decomposing its salt with dilute sulphuric acid and then titrating the released H2O2 with permanganate solutions. Its hydrogen bond donor count is 2, while its hydrogen bond acceptor count is 4. It acts as a reactant in a "Nucleophilic Acylation" reaction.

Structure of Percarbonic Acid

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H2CO4. A central carbon is bonded to four oxygen molecules, and the two hydrogen atoms are bound to two of the four oxygen atoms.

👁 Percarbonic acid structure
Percarbonic acid structure

Preparation of Percarbonic Acid

  • Percarbonic acid can be produced by nucleophilic acylation of carbonochloridic acid and hydrogen peroxide. 

CHClO2 +  H2O2 → CH2O4 + HCl

👁 Preparation of Percarbonic Acid
Preparation of Percarbonic Acid
  • It can also be synthesized by nucleophilic acylation of bromocarboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

 CHBrO2 +  H2O2 → CH2O4 + HBr

👁 Preparation of Percarbonic Acid
Preparation of Percarbonic Acid

Properties of Percarbonic Acid

Molecular Formula CH2O4
SMILES Form C(=O)(O)OO
IUPAC Name Carbonoperoxoic acid
Other chemical names 

Carbonoperoxoic acid 

dihydroxy carboxylic acid  

peroxycarbonic acid 

Molecular weight   78.02 g/mol 
Complexity 38.9

Chemical Properties of Percarbonic Acid

  • Percarbonic acid reacts with hydroxylamine (NH2OH) to form hydroxycarbamoperoxoic acid.

CH2O4 + NH2OH → CH3NO4 + H2O

  • Percarbonic acid reacts with prop-2-en-1-ol (C3H6O) to form allyl hydroxy carbonate (C4H6O3).

CH2O4 + C3H6O → C4H6O3 + H2O2

Question 1: Calculate the molar mass of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

We know that the chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H2CO4.

The atomic mass of a hydrogen atom = 1.00794

The atomic mass of a carbon atom = 12.0107

The atomic mass of an oxygen atom = 15.9994

Now, the molar of percarbonic acid = 2 × 1.00794 + 12.0107 + 4 × 15.9994

= 2.01588 + 12.0107 + 63.9976 = 78.02418 g/mol

So, the molar mass of percarbonic acid is 78.02418 g/mol.

Question 2: What is the chemical formula of percarbonic acid?

Answer:

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H2CO4. A central carbon is bonded to four oxygen molecules, and the two hydrogen atoms are bound to two of the four oxygen atoms.

Question 3: How is percarbonic acid prepared?

Answer:

  • Percarbonic acid can be produced by nucleophilic acylation of carbonochloridic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

CHClO2 +  H2O2 → CH2O4 + HCl

  • It can also be synthesized by nucleophilic acylation of bromocarboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

CHBrO2 +  H2O2 → CH2O4 + HBr

Question 4: Mention some properties of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

The chemical formula of percarbonic acid is H2CO4. Its molar mass is 78.02 g/mol and it has a complexity of 38.9. Its hydrogen bond donor count is 2, while its hydrogen bond acceptor count is 4.

Question 5: Mention some chemical properties of percarbonic acid.

Answer:

  • Percarbonic acid reacts with hydroxylamine (NH2OH) to form hydroxycarbamoperoxoic acid.

CH2O4 + NH2OH → CH3NO4 + H2O

  • Percarbonic acid reacts with prop-2-en-1-ol (C3H6O) to form allyl hydroxy carbonate (C4H6O3).

CH2O4 + C3H6O → C4H6O3 + H2O2

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