Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Separation of Aldehydes and Reactive Ketones from Mixtures Using a Bisulfite Extraction Protocol
Published on: April 2, 2018
Benzoyl peroxide solubility and stability in hydric solvents
1Sterling Winthrop Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Rensselaer, New York 12144.
Abstract:
Saturated solubility and reaction rate constants for the decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in solution and suspension were determined for use in formulation development. The solvents studied included ethanol, propylene glycol, and cosolvent mixtures of PEG 400 and water. The solubility of benzoyl peroxide was inversely related to the solvent polarity, with greater solubility occurring with semipolar solvents. The stability of benzoyl peroxide in solution was dependent on the solvent, concentration of benzoyl peroxide, and temperature. The compound was least stable in PEG 400. Stability was improved when water was added to PEG 400. Similar solvent effects were observed in suspension. In benzoyl peroxide suspensions of PEG 400 and PEG 400/water blends, benzoyl peroxide stability was dependent on solubility, with improved stability occurring in blends where the benzoyl peroxide was least soluble. Thus, solution formulations of benzoyl peroxide in pharmaceutically acceptable solvents are unlikely to show good stability; however, suspension formulations should be reasonably stable if the vehicle is selected to provide low benzoyl peroxide solubility.
Related Concept Videos
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Entropy and Solvation
Solvating Effects
Physical Properties of Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols possess a higher boiling point than aliphatic hydrocarbons of similar...
Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process

