Sodium Perborate Monohydrate offers many of the functional benefits as liquid Hydrogen Peroxide in a stable solid form.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrates oxidative power improves the cleaning, bleaching, stain removal and deodorizing performance of powder detergent formulations, all fabric dry bleaches, denture cleaners, automatic dishwasher detergents and various institutional and industrial laundry products.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula NaBO₃·H₂O, which means it contains sodium, boron, oxygen, and one molecule of water of crystallization in each unit.
CAS Number: 10332-33-9
Molecular Formula: BH4NaO4
Molecular Weight: 101.83
EINECS Number: 600-419-4
Synonyms: Caswell No. 784A, Sodium borate monohydrate, Y9UKD0XE6F, UNII-Y9UKD0XE6F, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 011105, Sodium borate monohydrate, Sodium perborate monohydrate (MART.), Sodium perborate monohydrate [MART.], Amosan Wound Cleanser, RefChem:56246, Amosan Oral Wound Cleanser, Amosan Wound Cleanser Cherry Flavour, 10332-33-9, Sodium perborate monohydrate, Perboric acid sodium salt monohydrate, Sodium;oxidooxy(oxo)borane;hydrate, Sodium perborate monohydrate [USAN], Sodium perborate monohydrate (USAN), SCHEMBL5934031, DTXSID9035676, NS00134378, Sodium perborate monohydrate [WHO-DD], D07066, Perboric acid (HBO(O₂)), sodium salt monohydrate, Q18212089, perboric;Sodium perborate monohydrate,95%;Perboric acid(HBO(O2)), sodiuM salt, Monohydrate (9CI);SodiuM perborate Monohydrate powder, 20-100 Mesh;perboricacid,sodiumsalt,;sodiumborate,monohydrate;Perboric acid (HBO(O2)), sodium salt, monohydrate;DISODIUMPERBORATEMONOHYDRATE
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate are chemical compounds with chemical formula [Na+]2[B2O4(OH)4]2−(H2O)x.
Commonly encountered salts are the anhydrous form (x = 0) and as a hexahydrate (x = 6).
These two species are sometimes called, respectively, "monohydrate" or PBS-1 and "tetrahydrate" or PBS-4, after the historic assumption that NaBO3 would be the anhydrous form).
Both the anhydrous and hexahydrate salts are white, odorless, water-soluble solids.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is a famous oxygen bleach agent.
Unlike simple borates such as sodium borate, this compound is a peroxygen salt, meaning it slowly releases active oxygen when it dissolves in water, a property that makes it particularly valuable as a bleaching and disinfecting agent.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is usually obtained as a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is stable under dry conditions but readily dissolves in water to form an alkaline solution with oxidizing properties.
One of the most notable characteristics of sodium perborate monohydrate is that it acts as a source of hydrogen peroxide in situ.
When dissolved in water, it undergoes hydrolysis to generate hydrogen peroxide and sodium metaborate, and the hydrogen peroxide subsequently releases oxygen in a controlled manner.
This ability to liberate oxygen gradually makes sodium perborate monohydrate especially useful in applications where a stable, solid form of bleach or disinfectant is required, as it is safer to handle and more storage-stable than liquid hydrogen peroxide.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrates are widely used in laundry detergents, as one of the peroxide-based bleaches.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate was first obtained in 1898, independently, by Sebastian Tanatar and by P. Melikoff and L. Pissadewsky; the researchers prepared sodium perborate by treating sodium borate with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide, but Tanatar also obtained sodium perborate by electrolysis of a solution of sodium borate.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is mainly found in its salt form of sodium perborate and it can be found as a monohydrate or tetrahydrate.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is one of the peroxy acid salts with very wide functionalities in industrial settings.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate in the form of sodium perborate is approved by Health Canada since 2004 to be used as a disinfectant of medical instruments.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is approved as an ointment for the protection of poison ivy dermatitis.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is a white, free-flowing, crystalline powder that dissolves readily in water and produces an alkaline solution with oxidative properties.
When mixed with water, Sodium Perborate reacts, releasing Hydrogen Peroxide.
High stability is an exclusive property to this compound.
The Hydrogen Peroxide formed by this reaction effectively kills microbes.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is a famous oxygen bleach agent.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate usually exists in two forms, tetrahydrated and monohydrated.
It offers many of the functional benefits as liquid hydrogen peroxide in a stable solid form.
Its oxidative power improves the cleaning, bleaching, stain removal and deodorizing performance of powder detergent formulations, all fabric dry bleaches, denture cleaners, automatic dishwasher detergents and various institutional and industrial laundry products.
Unlike sodium percarbonate, the peroxyborates are not adducts of hydrogen peroxide.
Rather, they contain a peroxyborate anion [(B(OH)2OO)2]2−, which consists of a cyclic −B−O−O−B−O−O− core with a pair of hydroxy groups bonded to each boron atom.
The ring adopts a chair conformation.
The hexahydrate has the formula Na2H4B2O8·6H2O, that is, Na2H16B2O14 or NaH8BO7.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is commonly but incorrectly called a "monohydrate" with the historical but misleading formula NaBO3·H2O.
Instead, a more descriptive formula is Na2[(HO)2B]2(O2)2.
Likewise, the hexahydrate is usually called "tetrahydrate" and formulated as NaBO3·4H2O.
Both forms are white, odorless, water-soluble solids.
The "monohydrate" and the "tetrahydrate" are the commercially important forms.
A true tetrahydrate Na2H4B2O8·4H2O, traditionally known as the "trihydrate", is also known but has no industrial significance.
There is a CAS number for each of the three traditional "hydrates", the three "peroxyborate" versions of each (interpreted as a hydrogen peroxide adduct) and the poorly defined "anhydrate" NaBO3, a total of seven.
In the industry, Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is used as a disinfectant.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is also part of the ingredients for detergents, bleach powders, and personal care formulations.
In cosmetic products, perboric acid and mainly its salt are used as an oxidizing agent for dyeing or permanent waving.
In dentistry, sodium perborate monohydrate is used as an aid for the removal of phlegm, mucus or other secretions associated with an occasional sore in the mouth, for cleansing minor wounds, for temporary cleanse of canker sore or for the removal of foreign materials in minor wounds.
In ophthalmic preparations, sodium perborate is used as a preservative for products used for dry eye.
This use is approved as this compound rapidly degrades to harmless byproducts.2
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate acts as a source of active oxygen.5 In contact with water, perboric acid hydrolyzes to hydrogen and borate.
As an antiseptic, the formation of hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the cellular components of the surrounding bacteria and kills them.
Melting point: 7–9 °C
Boiling point: 202–204 °C
Refractive index: 1.417
Flash point: 110 °C
Form: Crystalline powder
Color: White
Odor: Odorless
Water solubility: Very soluble in H₂O, reacting to give hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and sodium borate
InChI / InChIKey: GSADBQHMGMUBKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: B(=O)OO.[NaH].O
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is produced by thermal dehydration of the tetrahydrate or by reaction of sodium metaborate with hydrogen peroxide in a fluidized-bed dryer.
Uses are similar to those of the tetrahydrate.
Because of this property, Sodium Perborate Monohydrate has been widely used in laundry detergents, cleaning powders, and dishwashing formulations, where it serves as the primary oxygen-based bleaching agent that removes stains and brightens fabrics without the harsh effects of chlorine-based bleaches.
In addition, it has played a role in oral hygiene products, such as mouth rinses and wound-cleansing solutions (e.g., Amosan), where its slow release of oxygen helps disinfect wounds, reduce bacterial growth, and promote healing in the oral cavity.
Industrially, Sodium Perborate Monohydrate has been applied as an oxidizing agent in chemical syntheses, in water treatment as a disinfectant, and in certain cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations where controlled oxygen release is desired.
Its relatively mild oxidizing action compared to stronger peroxides makes it attractive in formulations where gentle bleaching or antimicrobial activity is needed without excessive tissue or material damage.
However, like other boron-containing compounds, sodium perborate monohydrate is subject to health and environmental concerns.
Prolonged or excessive exposure to borates has been linked to reproductive toxicity and other adverse health effects, which has led to restrictions on its use in household cleaning and personal care products in many countries, especially within the European Union.
Despite these regulatory limitations, it still finds use in specialized industrial and medical applications where its unique balance of stability, safety, and effectiveness as a solid oxygen donor provides advantages over alternative oxidizers.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate (i.e. breaks down in contact with water), producing hydrogen peroxide and borate: (HO)2B]2(OO)2)2− + 2 H2O ⇌ 2 [(HO)2B(OH)(OOH)]−
The resulting hydroperoxide then enter in equilibrium with boric acid B(OH)3, hydrogen peroxide H2O2, the hydroperoxyl anion −OOH, and the tetrahydroxyborate anion [B(OH)4]−: [B(OH)3(OOH)]− ⇌ B(OH)3 + HO−2B(OH)3 + HO−2 + H2O ⇌ [B(OH)4]− + H2O2
As the concentration of the solution increases, other peroxoborate species become significant.
With excess H2O2, the anions [B(OH)2(OOH)2]−, [B(OH)(OOH)3]−, and eventually [B(OOH)4]− appear. At high borate concentrations, the sodium perborate with dimeric anion crystallizes out, due to its relatively low solubility.[2]
The "monohydrate" form dissolves faster than the "tetrahydrate" and has higher heat stability; it is prepared by heating the "tetrahydrate".
The commercial "anhydrate", or Oxoborate, is prepared by further heating of "monohydrate" and actually consists of sodium borate and boron–oxygen radical.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is manufactured by reaction of borax Na2B4O7 and sodium hydroxide NaOH to give sodium metaborate NaBO2, which is then reacted with hydrogen peroxide to give hydrated sodium perborate: Na2B4O7 + 2 NaOH → 4 NaBO2 + H2O, 2 NaBO2 + 2 H2O2 → Na2B2O4(OH)4
A surfactant may be added to control crystal size.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate may also be produced in the electrolysis of an aqueous solution containing borax, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate (potassium dichromate is added to improve yield along with sodium silicate).
A copper pipe is used as a cathode and platinum for the anode, the current being 6 amperes at 7 to 8 volts, and the temperature 10 °C.
Uses Of Sodium Perborate Monohydrate:
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate serves as a stable source of active oxygen in many detergents, laundry detergents, cleaning products, and laundry bleaches.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is a less aggressive bleach than sodium hypochlorite and other chlorine-based bleaches, causing less degradation to dyes and textiles.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate releases oxygen rapidly at temperatures greater than 60 °C.
Addition of the activator, typically tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), makes it active at lower temperatures (40–60 °C).
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate has antiseptic properties and can act as a disinfectant.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is also used as a "disappearing" preservative in some brands of eye drops.[citation needed]
Sodium perborate monohydrate is quickly hydrolyzed into hydrogen peroxide and borate on contact with water.
A 1979 double-blind crossover study[14] suggests that hydrogen peroxide, which is released during the use of this product, may prevent or retard colonization and multiplication of anaerobic bacteria, such as those that inhabit oral wounds.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is also present in some tooth bleaching formulas for non vital root treated teeth.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is inserted in the root canal and left in place for an extended period of time to allow it to diffuse into the tooth and bleach stains from the inside out.
However, this use has been banned in the European Union.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate is also used as an oxidizing reagent in organic synthesis.
For example, it converts thioethers into sulfoxides and sulfones.
Another use of Sodium Perborate Monohydrate in organic synthesis is as a convenient alternative to H2O2, for example in the 2 step conversion of an aryl halide to a phenol (the first step is a Miyaura borylation).
Sodium Perborate Monohydrate has been used in a broad range of industrial, household, medical, and specialty applications because of its ability to act as a stable, solid source of active oxygen, releasing hydrogen peroxide when it dissolves in water.
One of its most prominent uses has been in the formulation of laundry detergents and washing powders, where it functions as a bleaching agent that brightens fabrics, removes tough organic stains such as wine, coffee, or blood, and deodorizes clothes without the strong odor and material-degrading effects associated with chlorine-based bleaches.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrates effectiveness increases when combined with so-called “bleach activators” like tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), which react with the hydrogen peroxide released from sodium perborate to form peracetic acid, a more powerful oxidizing agent that works even at lower washing temperatures, thereby making the cleaning process more energy-efficient.
In the dishwashing industry, sodium perborate monohydrate has played an important role as an oxygen bleach in automatic dishwashing powders and tablets.
By releasing oxygen during the wash cycle, it helps break down food residues, tea and coffee stains, and grease deposits on dishes, while also helping to deodorize the washing machine itself.
Because it is solid, stable, and easy to handle compared to liquid hydrogen peroxide, it became the compound of choice for many manufacturers who wanted to incorporate oxygen-based bleaching into powdered formulations.
In the medical and pharmaceutical fields, sodium perborate monohydrate has been incorporated into wound cleansers, oral rinses, and dental products, most famously in Amosan oral wound cleanser.
In this context, the slow release of oxygen has therapeutic value: when the powder dissolves in water, it produces a mild bubbling effect from oxygen release, which helps clean wounds, reduce bacterial load, and promote faster healing in the mouth or on the skin.
This controlled oxygen release provides an antiseptic effect without the harsh tissue-damaging properties of stronger oxidizing agents, making it useful for delicate applications such as oral ulcers, post-dental-surgery care, and minor cuts or abrasions.
Sodium perborate monohydrate has also been employed in cosmetic and personal care formulations, particularly in products like tooth-whitening powders and some hair bleaching systems.
In these applications, its oxygen-releasing action helps remove stains from tooth enamel or lighten hair pigments gradually, while the solid, stable nature of the compound makes it easier to transport and store than unstable liquid peroxides.
On an industrial scale, sodium perborate monohydrate has been used as a mild oxidizing agent in chemical synthesis and as a disinfectant in water treatment systems.
Sodium Perborate Monohydrates relatively gentle oxidative properties make it valuable in processes where controlled oxidation is required without generating excessive heat or dangerous by-products.
Furthermore, because it can be shipped and stored as a solid, it avoids many of the logistical and safety challenges associated with transporting hydrogen peroxide solutions.
Safety Profile Of Sodium Perborate Monohydrate:
In the European Union, sodium perborate, like most perborates, was classified as "carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction" (CMR), category 1B of Regulation (EC) 790/2009, as a result of being included in Part 3 of Annex VI of the regulation 1272/2008 on Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures.
As a result, their use has been automatically banned in cosmetic products in the EU, in any concentration, starting 1 December 2010.
That extends to the use of perborates for tooth whitening.
Sodium perborate monohydrate is considered a hazardous chemical because it combines the risks associated with both oxidizing agents and boron-containing compounds, and its effects can be harmful to human health and the environment if not managed properly.
One of the primary dangers lies in its strong oxidizing nature; when dissolved in water, it releases hydrogen peroxide and reactive oxygen species, which can cause significant irritation and damage to living tissues.
Direct skin contact may lead to redness, dryness, and chemical burns if exposure is prolonged, while contact with the eyes is especially serious, as it can produce intense irritation, pain, corneal injury, and potentially permanent vision impairment if not treated promptly.
Inhalation of fine dust particles of sodium perborate monohydrate presents another hazard.
Because it can become airborne during handling, workers may accidentally breathe it in, which irritates the nose, throat, and respiratory tract, producing symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort.
Prolonged or repeated inhalation exposure can increase the risk of more severe respiratory conditions, particularly if the workplace is not well ventilated.
Ingestion of this compound is also very dangerous; swallowing it can cause burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and in severe cases, it may result in internal bleeding or perforation of digestive tissues.