It is used as a whitener and one of the advantages is its high degree of environmental compatibility. In aqueous solutions it generates a pH of 10-11 (1).

Easy to handle, safe and stable at room temperature. Its ability to release oxidants in water and biological materials has made it a useful oxidant in organic synthesis (2).

Sodium percarbonate is considered to be a potential substitute for hydrogen peroxide H 2 O 2, because it is much safer to handle and does not introduce additional potentially harmful by-products into water (3).

References_________________________________

(1) Exposure of RML scrapie agent to a sodium percarbonate-based product and sodium dodecyl sulfate renders PrPSc protease sensitive but does not eliminate infectivity.

Smith JD, Nicholson EM, Foster GH, Greenlee JJ.

BMC Vet Res. 2013 Jan 11;9:8. doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-8.

(2) Reviews on the uses of sodium perborate (SPB) and sodium percarbonate (SPC) in organic synthesis: Muzart, J. Synthesis 1995, 1325–1347.McKillop, A.; Sanderson, W. R. Tetrahedron 1995, 51, 6145–6166.McKillop, A.; Sanderson, W. R. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 2000, 471–476. SPB in the presence of a sodium tungstate catalyst was shown to be a cheap oxidant for the iodination of aromatic amides using KI as the source of iodine(I) species; see: Beinker, P.; Hanson, J. R.; Meindl, N.; Rodriguez Medina, I. C. J. Chem. Res. (S) 1998, 204–205.

(3) Sindelar HR, Brown MT, Boyer TH. Evaluating UV/H2O2, UV/percarbonate, and UV/perborate for natural organic matter reduction from alternative water sources. Chemosphere. 2014;105:112–118.

Sodium Percarbonate is a chemical compound, an oxidizing agent comprising sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Sodium is an alkali metal and represents the cationic part of the molecule.
• Percarbonate is the anionic part of the molecule and refers to a combination of carbonic acid and hydrogen peroxide. When sodium percarbonate comes into contact with water, it breaks down, releasing hydrogen peroxide, which has bleaching and disinfecting properties.

Raw Materials Used in Production:

• Sodium Carbonate: Also known as soda ash, is an alkaline substance used as a pH adjuster and buffering agent.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: A liquid oxidizer commonly used as a bleaching agent and disinfectant.

Step-by-step Summary of Industrial Production Process:

• Reaction. Sodium carbonate is mixed with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst.
• Crystallization. The formed sodium percarbonate crystallizes out of the solution.
• Filtration. The crystals are separated from the mother liquor through a filtration process.
• Drying. The crystals are then dried to remove excess water.

Form and Color.

Sodium percarbonate appears as a white granular solid.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

It is a restricted ingredient as III/12  a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Hydrogen peroxide and other compounds or mixtures that release hydrogen peroxide, including carbamide peroxide and zinc peroxide, with the exception of the following substances in Annex II: No 1397, 1398, 1399

Deodorant agent. When substances that give off an unpleasant odour are included in cosmetic formulations (typical examples are methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulphide derived from garlic), deodorants attenuate or eliminate the unpleasant exhalation.  It helps counteract the formation of bad odours on body surfaces.

Oxidising. This ingredient has the ability to change the chemical nature of another ingredient either by adding oxygen or by removing hydrogen.

Commercial Applications.

Used as a bleaching agent in many laundry detergent formulations. It has oxidizing properties and serves a cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing function.

Detergent Industry. Sodium percarbonate is commonly used as a bleaching and disinfecting agent in laundry detergents, especially in "oxygen active" cleansers.

Properties. When immersed in water, it breaks down to form hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate, both of which are potent cleaning agents.

Common Applications. Beyond laundry detergents, it's also used in some all-purpose cleaners, carpet cleaners, and surface whiteners.

Safety. 

It's generally deemed environmentally safe as it breaks down into water, oxygen, and sodium carbonate. However, it can be an irritant to eyes and skin, so it's always crucial to handle with care and avoid direct contact.

Sodium Percarbonate studies

• Molecular Formula: C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂   
• Molecular Weight: 314.017 g/mol
• CAS: 15630-89-4
• EC Number: 239-707-6
• UNIII: Z7G82NV92P

Synonyms:

• Oxyper
• Peroxy sodium carbonate
• Perdox
• Carbonic acid disodium salt, compd. with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (2:3
• Disodium carbonate, hydrogen peroxide (2:3)
• tetrasodium hydrogen peroxide dicarbonate