View source for Sodium perborate

'''Sodium perborate''' ('''PBS''') is a white, odorless, water-soluble [[chemical compound]] with [[chemical formula]] {{Sodium}}{{Boron}}{{Oxygen}}<sub>3</sub>. It crystallizes as [[monohydrate]] or tetrahydrate. Sodium perborate is manufactured by reaction of [[sodium tetraborate]], [[hydrogen peroxide]], and [[sodium hydroxide]]. It is a skin irritant.

[[Image:perborate dimer.png|thumb|right|150px|Perborate dimer, peroxide bond shown in red, charges in blue]]
Unlike percarbonate and perphosphate, perborate is not just an [[addition compound]] of peroxide, but contains true peroxygen bonds. This makes the material more stable, safer for handling and storage. The monohydrate form dissolves better than the tetrahydrate and has higher heat stability; it is prepared by heating the tetrahydrate. 

Sodium perborate undergoes [[hydrolysis]] in contact with water, producing [[hydrogen peroxide]] and [[borate]]. It serves as a source of [[active oxygen]] in many [[detergent]]s, [[laundry detergent]]s, [[cleaning product]]s, and laundry [[bleach]]es. It is also present in some [[tooth bleaching]] formulas. It has [[antiseptic]] properties and can act as a [[disinfectant]]. It is also used as a "disappearing" [[preservative]] in some brands of [[eye drop]]s. One eye drop manufacturer, [[Novartis]], claims that it "turns into pure water and oxygen upon contact with your eye."<ref>GenTeal lubricant eye drops product packaging, 2006.</ref>

Sodium perborate is a less aggressive bleach than [[sodium hypochlorite]], causing less degradation to [[dye]]s and [[textile]]s. Borates also have some non-oxidative bleaching properties.

Sodium perborate releases oxygen rapidly at temperatures over 60 °C. To make it active at lower temperatures (40-60 °C), it has to be mixed with a suitable activator, typically [[tetraacetylethylenediamine]] (TAED).

==See also==
* [[Amosan]]
* [[Sodium percarbonate]]
* [[Sodium perphosphate]]
* [[Persil]]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://www.borax.com/detergents/bleaching.html Borax Detergent Book: Bleaching]
* [http://www.npi.gov.au/database/substance-info/profiles/15.html National Pollutant Inventory - Boron and compounds]
* [http://www.degussa-history.com/geschichte/en/inventions/sodium_perborate.html Sodium perborate history, image]
* [http://www.organic-chemistry.org/chemicals/oxidations/sodiumperborate.shtm Sodium perborate in organic synthesis]


[[Category:Sodium compounds]]
[[Category:Borates]]
[[Category:Peroxides]]
[[Category:Cleaning product components]]
[[Category:Antiseptics]]
[[Category:Bleaches]]

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