Lithium peroxide

Overview
Lithium peroxide (Li2O2) is a chemical compound. It decomposes above 195°C to give lithium oxide, Li2O:
 * 2Li2O2 → Li2O + O2

Preparation
It is prepared industrially by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and lithium hydroxide to produce the hydroperoxide which is then dehydrated :
 * LiOH.H2O + H2O2 →  LiOOH.H2O + H2O
 * 2LiOOH.H2O → Li2O2 + H2O2 + 2H2O

Uses
It is used in air purifiers where weight is important e.g. spacecraft to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the reaction :
 * 2Li2O2 + 2CO2 → 2Li2CO3 + O2

Precautions
Lithium peroxide reacts with and should be isolated from water, steam, reducing agents, organic material, metallic oxides and salts.