Benzoyl Peroxide

Applications:
It is used as a catalyst in oxidation and sulfonation reactions. It is also used in bleaching, drying, and as disinfectant and cleaning agent. It is a strong free radical source containing more than 4.9% of active oxygen. The half-life temperatures are 73 C (for 10 hours), 92 C (1 for 1 hour) and 131 C (for 1 minute). It decomposes rapidly, causing fire and explosion hazard, on heating and under influence of light. It reacts violently with incompatible substances or ignition sources (acids, bases, reducing agents, and heavy metals). It should be stored in a dry and refrigerated (< 27C recommended or 38 C max) area and to keep away from reducing agents and incompatible substances.

In pharmaceutical and food field, the release of oxygen from benzoyl peroxide provide an important application to use as a topical antibacterial used for burns and as a dermatologic agent in the treatment of acne and poison ivy. It has keratolytic function that promotes keratolysis (softening and dissolution or peeling of the horny layer of the epidermis). Benzoyl peroxide is also used as an oxidizing agent in the treatment of decubital and stasis ulcers.