2.18 describe the laboratory preparation of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide, using manganese(IV) oxide as a catalyst

Hydrogen peroxide will decompose to form oxygen and water. However, this process is very slow so manganese (IV) oxide is added to speed up the decomposition (this acts as a catalyst). The oxygen produced can be collected in two ways...

1. Over water...
- connect a delivery tube to bubble the gas into an upside-down measuring cylinder in a beaker/bowl full of water.

2. In a gas syringe...
- you can use a gas syringe to collect pretty much any gas... just connect it to the flask that the hydrogen peroxide is decomposing in.

NOTE: the equation for this reaction is 2H₂O_{2 (aq)} ---> 2H₂O _(l) + O_{2 (g)}