Chemicals and Drugs

Peroxides

A group of compounds that contain a bivalent O-O group, i.e., the oxygen atoms are univalent. They can either be inorganic or organic in nature. Such compounds release atomic (nascent) oxygen readily. Thus they are strong oxidizing agents and fire hazards when in contact with combustible materials, especially under high-temperature conditions. The chief industrial uses of peroxides are as oxidizing agents, bleaching agents, and initiators of polymerization. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A group of compounds that contain a bivalent O-O group, i.e., the oxygen atoms are univalent. They can either be inorganic or organic in nature. Such compounds release atomic (nascent) oxygen readily. Thus they are strong oxidizing agents and fire hazards when in contact with combustible materials, especially under high-temperature conditions. The chief industrial uses of peroxides are as oxidizing agents, bleaching agents, and initiators of polymerization. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)

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Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Peroxide

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D01w.248w.497w.158w.685w.750w
  2. D01w.339w.431w.374w
  3. D01w.650w.550w.750w
  4. D02w.389w.593w.374w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Peroxides. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010545. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010545
  2. Peroxides. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peroxide
  3. Peroxides. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107429