Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis: An Outlook beyond the Anthraquinone Process

TLDR

Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used industrial oxidant whose only by‑product is water, yet its large‑scale production via the anthraquinone oxidation process is energy‑intensive, waste‑generating, and hazardous, limiting its environmental sustainability. This review explores cleaner alternatives for H₂O₂ synthesis. It examines direct O₂/H₂ conversion to H₂O₂ using various catalysts and the factors influencing its formation and decomposition.

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 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 H2O2. 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 H2O2 involve hazards and escalating expenses. Thus, novel, cleaner methods for the production of H2O2 are being explored. The direct synthesis of H2O2 from O2 and H2 using a variety of catalysts, and the factors influencing the formation and decomposition of H2O2 are examined in detail in this Review.