Peroxy acid

A peroxy acid, also written peroxyacid or shortened to peracid, is an acid where an acidic hydrogen atom is bonded to two consecutive oxygen atoms. They have a hydroperoxide functional group, .

Peroxy acids are weaker acids but stronger oxidizers than related oxoacids.

 Production 
Many oxoacids can be changed to peroxy acids in a chemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide. An example of this is the production of peroxymonosulfuric acid: 

Organic peracids can be made from carboxylic acids or their derivatives, like acid anhydrides or acyl chlorides.

 Uses 
A major use for peroxy acids and their salts is the oxidation of alkenes into epoxides. If an organic peroxy acid is used, this is a name reaction called the Prilezhaev reaction. Potassium peroxymonosulfate, sold commercially in a mix of salts called Oxone, is an inorganic peroxy acid salt used in a similar reaction.

 References 

Category:Oxoacids
Category:Oxidizing agents