-->

Hydrogen

Question
CBSEENCH11006978

How does H2Obehave as a bleaching agent?

Solution
H2O2 is used as a mild bleaching agent due to the nascent oxygen which it liberates upon decomposition.
straight H subscript 2 straight O subscript 2 space rightwards arrow space space straight H subscript 2 straight O space plus space straight O
The nascent oxygen combines with a colouring matter which in turn gets oxidised. 
Colouring matter  + [O]  →  Colourless matter
It is used for the bleaching of delicate materials like ivory, feather, silk, wool etc.