Which classification describes any carbon-containing compound with two adjacent oxygen atoms joined together?

Which classification describes any carbon-containing compound with two adjacent oxygen atoms joined together?

• A. Organic peroxide
• B. Inorganic peroxide
• C. Organic oxide
• D. Peroxide compound

Answer: (A)

Two adjacent oxygen atoms bonded together form a peroxide linkage (an O–O bond). When the molecule also contains carbon-containing groups, this becomes an organic peroxide. That combination—a carbon-containing structure with an O–O linkage—is exactly what defines an organic peroxide, making it the best description for a carbon-containing compound with two adjacent oxygens joined together. An inorganic peroxide would lack carbon (for example, hydrogen peroxide), so it doesn’t fit. An organic oxide isn’t the standard term for describing a peroxide linkage, and a peroxide compound is too broad, since it could be inorganic as well.

Two adjacent oxygen atoms bonded together form a peroxide linkage (an O–O bond). When the molecule also contains carbon-containing groups, this becomes an organic peroxide. That combination—a carbon-containing structure with an O–O linkage—is exactly what defines an organic peroxide, making it the best description for a carbon-containing compound with two adjacent oxygens joined together.

An inorganic peroxide would lack carbon (for example, hydrogen peroxide), so it doesn’t fit. An organic oxide isn’t the standard term for describing a peroxide linkage, and a peroxide compound is too broad, since it could be inorganic as well.