Quantitative analysis of hydrogen peroxide by 1H NMR spectroscopy

Abstract

A technique utilizing 1H NMR spectroscopy has been developed to measure the concentration of hydrogen peroxide from 10(-3) to 10 M. Hydrogen peroxide produces a peak at around 10-11 ppm, depending upon the interaction between solvent molecules and hydrogen peroxide molecules. The intensity of this peak can be monitored once every 30 s, enabling the measurement of changes in hydrogen peroxide concentration as a function of time. 1H NMR has several advantages over other techniques: (1) applicability to a broad range of solvents, (2) ability to quantify hydrogen peroxide rapidly, and (3) ability to follow reactions forming and/or consuming hydrogen peroxide as a function of time. As an example, this analytical technique has been used to measure the concentration of hydrogen peroxide as a function of time in a study of hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyzed by iron(III) tetrakispentafluorophenyl porphyrin.