In situ generation of superoxide anion radical in aqueous medium under ambient conditions

In the recent decades superoxide [O(2-.) ] has become the subject of considerable interest. Nonetheless, generation of superoxide compounds is still a substantial challenge. The standard methods for synthesis of superoxide derivatives are either through the oxidation of molten alkali metals with hot air or by using electrolytic reduction of oxygen in aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide. No methodology is available for the generation of superoxides in protic solutions and particularly not in water. We propose a new in situ method for alkali superoxide preparation by using sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide at room temperature and in aqueous solution.