How do peroxy acids differ from related oxyacids?

Peroxy acids are a specific class of chemical compounds that differ from standard oxyacids by their structural composition. In a peroxy acid, the characteristic –OH group found in a related oxyacid is replaced by the atomic group –O–O–H.1

This structural distinction means that peroxy acids contain a peroxide linkage, where two oxygen atoms are joined by a single covalent bond. While standard oxyacids are defined by their ability to yield hydronium ions in solution, peroxy acids are primarily utilized as powerful oxidizing agents. They are commonly prepared by reacting an oxyacid with hydrogen peroxide.123

Examples of this relationship include:
* Peroxyacetic acid (CH₃CO–OOH), which is related to acetic acid (CH₃CO–OH).1
* Peroxysulfuric acid (H₂SO₅), which is analogous to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).1