benzoyl peroxide essays

benzoyl peroxide essays Chemical Name: Benzoyl Peroxide (C14H10O4) Benzoyl peroxide is the main compound found in several different pharmaceuticals for treating acne, food additives, as polymers, and catalysts in several different reactions. Other common names for this compound are; Oxy-10, Panoxyl, Benzagel 10, Benzoic acid, Lucidol, and several others. The melting point for this compound is 1040-1060 C. At this temperature the compound will become very explosive, therefore forming no distinct boiling point. Benzoyl peroxide has a density of 1.334 and a molecular weight of 242.23g. It is slightly soluble in water ( Oxygens have bond angles of 1040, creating sp3 orbitals. Because this compound can create a mirror image of its self when folded over, I believe it to be non-polar. The physical properties of Benzoyl peroxide are that it is a colorless, odorless, solid, which may be in the form of white granules, crystals, or powder. This compound has several different functions such as; it is an oxidizer used to bleach edible oils, flour, and bread, is used as a catalyst for radical reactions, and as an initiator for addition and substitution reactions in organic synthesis. The most common use of Benzoyl peroxide is in topical solutions for treating acne. It is available without a prescription in several different concentrations, and it can be used for any degree or severity of acne. It works by removing the top layer of skin and unblocking the sebaceous glands. It also reduces inflammation of blocked hair follicles by killing bacter...