H2O2 Molecular Structure and Bonding
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has a non-planar structure. The molecular geometry is bent with a tetrahedral electron geometry. The bond angle in the gas phase is 94.8º, and in the solid phase, it is 101.9º.
Polarity of H2O2
Hydrogen peroxide is polar in nature due to its structure. It has two electrons between the two oxygen atoms, forming a single bond. The H—O bonds are polar, while the O—O bond is non-polar.
Bond Type and Angles
H2O2 has a structure H—O—O—H, where each dash represents a single covalent bond. The bond angle of H2O2 is approximately 109 degrees due to its bent molecular geometry, which is greater than the 104-degree bond angle in H2O. The free rotation allowed by the O-O bond prevents H2O2 from having a linear structure.