Chemical decomposition

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Chemical decomposition, or chemical breakdown, is the process or effect of
simplifying a single chemical entity (normal molecule, reaction intermediate, etc.) into
two or more fragments.[1] Chemical decomposition is usually regarded and defined as
the exact opposite of chemical synthesis. In short, the chemical reaction in which two or
more products are formed from a single reactant is called a decomposition reaction.
The details of a decomposition process are not always well defined but some of the
process is understood; much energy is needed to break bonds. Since all decomposition
reactions break apart the bonds holding it together in order to produce into its simpler
basic parts, the reactions would require some form of this energy in varying degrees.
Because of this fundamental rule, it is known that most of these reactions are
endothermic although exceptions do exist.
The stability of a chemical compound is eventually limited when exposed to extreme
environmental conditions such as heat, radiation, humidity, or the acidity of a solvent.
Because of this chemical decomposition is often an undesired chemical reaction.
However chemical decomposition is being used in a growing number of ways.
For example this method is employed for several analytical techniques, notably mass
spectrometry, traditional gravimetric analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis.
Additionally decomposition reactions are used today for a number of other reasons in
the production of a wide variety of products. One of these is the explosive breakdown
reaction of sodium azide [(NaN3)2] into nitrogen gas (N2) and sodium (Na). It is this
process which powers the life-saving airbags present in virtually all of today's
automobiles.[2]
Decomposition reactions can be generally classed into three categories; thermal,
electrolytic, and photolytic decomposition reactions. [3]

Contents

 1Reaction formula
o 1.1Additional examples
 2See also
 3References
 4External links

Reaction formula[edit]
In the breakdown of a compound into its constituent parts, the generalized reaction for
chemical decomposition is:
AB → A + B
An example is the electrolysis of water to the gases hydrogen and oxygen:
2 H2O(l) → 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
Additional examples[edit]
An experiment describing catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. A concentrated hydrogen
peroxide solution can be easily decomposed to water and oxygen.

An example of a spontaneous (without addition of an external energy source)

decomposition is that of hydrogen peroxide which slowly decomposes into water
and oxygen (see video at right):
2 H2O2 → 2 H2O + O2
This reaction is one of the exceptions to the endothermic nature of
decomposition reactions.
Other reactions involving decomposition do require the input of external
energy. This energy can be in the form of heat, radiation, electricity, or light.
The latter being the reason some chemical compounds, such as many
prescription medicines, are kept and stored in dark bottles which reduce or
eliminate the possibility of light reaching them and initiating decomposition.
When heated, carbonates will decompose. A notable exception is carbonic
acid, (H2CO3).[4] Commonly seen as the "fizz" in carbonated beverages,
carbonic acid will spontaneously decompose over time into carbon
dioxide and water. The reaction is written as: