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CAS Number: 7722-64-7
IUPAC name: Potassium manganate(VII)
EC Number: 231-760-3
Chemical formula: KMnO4
Potassium permanganate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KMnO4.
Potassium permanganate is a purplish-black crystalline salt, that dissolves in water as K+ and MnO−
4, an intensely pink to purple solution.
Potassium permanganate is widely used in the chemical industry and laboratories as a strong oxidizing agent, and also as a medication for dermatitis, for cleaning wounds, and general disinfection.
Potassium permanganate is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
In 2000, worldwide production was estimated at 30,000 tons.
Properties
Potassium permanganate is the potassium salt of the tetrahedral transition metal oxo complex permanganate, in which four O2− ligands are bound to a manganese(VII) center.
Structure
KMnO4 forms orthorhombic crystals with constants: a = 910.5 pm, b = 572.0 pm, c = 742.5 pm.
The overall motif is similar to that for barium sulfate, with which it forms solid solutions.
In the solid (as in solution), each MnO4 centre is tetrahedral.
The Mn–O distances are 1.62 Å.
Color
The purplish-black color of solid potassium permanganate, and the intensely pink to purple color of its solutions, is caused by its permanganate anion, which gets its color from a strong charge-transfer absorption band caused by excitation of electrons from oxo ligand orbitals to empty orbitals of the manganese(VII) center.
Uses
Almost all applications of potassium permanganate exploit its oxidizing properties.
As a strong oxidant that does not generate toxic byproducts, KMnO4 has many niche uses.
Medical uses
Main article: Potassium permanganate (medical use)
Potassium permanganate is used for a number of skin conditions.
This includes fungal infections of the foot, impetigo, pemphigus, superficial wounds, dermatitis, and tropical ulcers.
Potassium permanganate is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Water treatment
Potassium permanganate is used extensively in the water treatment industry.
It is used as a regeneration chemical to remove iron and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) from well water via a "manganese greensand" filter.
"Pot-Perm" is also obtainable at pool supply stores and is used additionally to treat wastewater.
Historically it was used to disinfect drinking water and can turn the water pink.
It currently finds application in the control of nuisance organisms such as zebra mussels in fresh water collection and treatment systems.
Synthesis of organic compounds
A solution of KMnO4 in water, in a volumetric flask
A major application of KMnO4 is as a reagent for the synthesis of organic compounds.
Significant amounts are required for the synthesis of ascorbic acid, chloramphenicol, saccharin, isonicotinic acid, and pyrazinoic acid.
KMnO4 is used in qualitative organic analysis to test for the presence of unsaturation.
It is sometimes referred to as Baeyer's reagent after the German organic chemist Adolf von Baeyer.
The reagent is an alkaline solution of potassium permanganate. Reaction with double or triple bonds (-C=C- or -C≡C-) causes the color to fade from purplish-pink to brown.
Aldehydes and formic acid (and formates) also give a positive test.
The test is antiquated.
KMnO4 solution is a common thin layer chromatography stain for the detection of oxidizable functional groups, such as alcohols, aldehydes, alkenes, and ketones. Such compounds result in a white to orange spot on TLC plates.
Analytical use
Potassium permanganate can be used to quantitatively determine the total oxidizable organic material in an aqueous sample.
The value determined is known as the permanganate value.
In analytical chemistry, a standardized aqueous solution of KMnO4 is sometimes used as an oxidizing titrant for redox titrations (permanganometry).
As potassium permanganate is titrated, the solution becomes a light shade of purple, which darkens as excess of the titrant is added to the solution. In a related way, it is used as a reagent to determine the Kappa number of wood pulp.
For the standardization of KMnO4 solutions, reduction by oxalic acid is often used.
In agricultural chemistry, it is used for estimation of active carbon in soil.
Aqueous, acidic solutions of KMnO4 are used to collect gaseous mercury in flue gas during stationary source emissions testing.
In histology, potassium permanganate was used as a bleaching agent.
Fruit preservation
Ethylene absorbents extend storage time of bananas even at high temperatures.
This effect can be exploited by packing bananas in polyethylene together with potassium permanganate. By removing ethylene by oxidation, the permanganate delays the ripening, increasing the fruit's shelf life up to 4 weeks without the need for refrigeration.
Survival kits
Potassium permanganate is sometimes included in survival kits: as a hypergolic fire starter (when mixed with glycerol antifreeze from a car radiator; as a water sterilizer; and for creating distress signals on snow).
Fire service
Potassium permanganate is added to "plastic sphere dispensers" to create backfires, burnouts, and controlled burns.
Polymer spheres resembling ping-pong balls containing small amounts of permanganate are injected with ethylene glycol and projected towards the area where ignition is desired, where they spontaneously ignite seconds later.
Both handheld and helicopter or boat-mounted plastic sphere dispensers are used.
Other uses
Potassium permanganate is one of the principal chemicals used in the film and television industries to "age" props and set dressings.
Potassium permanganate's ready conversion to brown MnO2 creates "hundred-year-old" or "ancient" looks on hessian cloth (burlap), ropes, timber, and glass.
Potassium permanganate can be used to oxidize cocaine paste to purify it and increase its stability. This led to the Drug Enforcement Administration launching Operation Purple in 2000, with the goal of monitoring the world supply of potassium permanganate; however, potassium permanganate derivatives and substitutes were soon used thereafter to avoid the operation.
Potassium permangate used as an oxidizing agent in the synthesis of cocaine and methcathinone.
History
In 1659, Johann Rudolf Glauber fused a mixture of the mineral pyrolusite (manganese dioxide, MnO2) and potassium carbonate to obtain a material that, when dissolved in water, gave a green solution (potassium manganate) which slowly shifted to violet and then finally red.
The reaction that produced the color changes that Glauber observed in his solution of potassium permanganate and potassium manganate (K2MnO4) is now known as the "chemical chameleon".
This report represents the first description of the production of potassium permanganate.
Just under 200 years later, London chemist Henry Bollmann Condy had an interest in disinfectants; he found that fusing pyrolusite with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and dissolving it in water produced a solution with disinfectant properties.
He patented this solution, and marketed it as 'Condy's Fluid'. Although effective, the solution was not very stable.
This was overcome by using potassium hydroxide (KOH) rather than NaOH.
This was more stable, and had the advantage of easy conversion to the equally effective potassium permanganate crystals.
This crystalline material was known as 'Condy's crystals' or 'Condy's powder'.
Potassium permanganate was comparatively easy to manufacture, so Condy was subsequently forced to spend considerable time in litigation to stop competitors from marketing similar products.
Early photographers used it as a component of flash powder.
Potassium permanganate is now replaced with other oxidizers, due to the instability of permanganate mixtures.
Preparation
Potassium permanganate is produced industrially from manganese dioxide, which also occurs as the mineral pyrolusite.
In 2000, worldwide production was estimated at 30,000 tonnes.
The MnO2 is fused with potassium hydroxide and heated in air or with another source of oxygen, like potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate.
This process gives potassium manganate:
2 MnO2 + 4 KOH + O2 → 2 K2MnO4 + 2 H2O
(With sodium hydroxide, the end product is not sodium manganate but an Mn(V) compound, which is one reason why the potassium permanganate is more commonly used than sodium permanganate.
Furthermore, the potassium salt crystallizes better.)
Reactions
Dilute solutions of KMnO4 convert alkenes into diols. This behaviour is also used as a qualitative test for the presence of double or triple bonds in a molecule, since the reaction decolorizes the initially purple permanganate solution and generates a brown precipitate (MnO2).
In this context, it is sometimes called Baeyer's reagent.
However, bromine serves better in measuring unsaturation (double or triple bonds) quantitatively, since KMnO4, being a very strong oxidizing agent, can react with a variety of groups.
Potassium permanganate is a chemical compound of manganese prepared from manganese dioxide.
Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidizing agent and used a fixative, disinfectant, and as a reagent in organic synthesis.
Manganese is a naturally occurring metal with the symbol Mn and the atomic number 25.
Potassium permanganate does not occur naturally in its pure form, but is found in many types of rocks in combination with other substances such as oxygen, sulfur, or chlorine.
Manganese occurs naturally in most foods and small amounts are needed to stay healthy, as manganese ions act as cofactors for a number of enzymes.
Potassium permanganate appears as a purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material.
Potassium permanganate the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive.
Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition.
Contact with sulfuric acid may cause fire or explosion.
Used to make other chemicals and as a disinfectant.
Widespread uses by professional workers
Potassium permanganate is used in the following products: water treatment chemicals and laboratory chemicals. Potassium permanganate is used in the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fishing and mining.
Potassium permanganate is used for the manufacture of: and chemicals.
Release to the environment of Potassium permanganate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials, manufacturing of the substance, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and as processing aid.
Other release to the environment of Potassium permanganate is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Formulation or re-packing
Potassium permanganate is used in the following products: water treatment chemicals.
Release to the environment of Potassium permanganate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials, manufacturing of the substance, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and as processing aid.
Uses at industrial sites
Potassium permanganate is used in the following products: water treatment chemicals, metal surface treatment products and laboratory chemicals.
Potassium permanganate is used in the following areas: agriculture, forestry and fishing and formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Potassium permanganate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals, , textile, leather or fur and fabricated metal products.
Release to the environment of Potassium permanganate can occur from industrial use: as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), manufacturing of the substance, for thermoplastic manufacture, of substances in closed systems with minimal release, formulation of mixtures, as processing aid, as processing aid and in processing aids at industrial sites.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Potassium permanganate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), for thermoplastic manufacture, of substances in closed systems with minimal release, formulation of mixtures and as processing aid.
Molecular Weight: 158.034
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 4
Rotatable Bond Count: 0
Exact Mass: 157.881408
Monoisotopic Mass: 157.881408
Topological Polar Surface Area: 74.3 Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 6
Complexity: 118
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 2
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
Potassium permanganate belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as alkali metal permanganates.
These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is permanganate, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is an alkali metal.
Potassium permanganate is an oxidising agent with disinfectant, deodorising, and astringent properties. Its chemical formula is KMnO4.
Potassium permanganate is sometimes called by its common name, Condy's crystals.
In its raw state, potassium permanganate is an odourless dark purple or almost black crystal or granular powder.
Potassium permanganate crystals and concentrated solutions are caustic and can burn the skin.
It must only ever be applied in the dilute form to affected skin.
Always wear gloves when handling the concentrated solution or tablets.
The affected area can be immersed in the dilute solution for 10–20 mins, twice a day.
After the soak, the affected area can be patted dry with a paper towel, and treatments like topical steroid creams can then be applied.
Vaseline can be applied to the nails to prevent the permanganate causing brown staining.
Two to three days of applications will usually dry the weeping eruption, and the soaks can be discontinued before the skin becomes over dry.
If a foot or hand is affected, the diluted permanganate solution can be put into a bowl or bucket with a plastic bag liner that can be discarded after use.
If the weeping rash is widespread, permanganate can be diluted in bath water and the whole of the body immersed.
If the weeping area is more localised, diluted permanganate can be applied on a gauze soaked in diluted permanganate that has been gently squeezed to remove excess solution, and applied to the affected area for 20 minutes.
Potassium permanganate soaks are not suitable for dry skin conditions.
Potassium permanganate is a common chemical compound that combines manganese oxide ore with potassium hydroxide.
Potassium permanganate was first developed as a disinfectant in 1857.
Since then, it’s been widely used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including fungal infections. In many countries, including the United States, you’ll need a prescription from your doctor to receive potassium permanganate.
When applied to your skin, potassium permanganate kills germs by releasing oxygen when it meets compounds in your skin.
It also acts as an astringent, which is a drying agent.
Some of the conditions that potassium permanganate can help treat include:
Infected eczema.
If you have eczema with blisters, potassium permanganate can help to dry them out.
Open and blistering wounds.
Potassium permanganate is used as a wet dressing for wounds on your skin’s surface that are blistered or oozing pus.
Athlete’s foot and impetigo.
Potassium permanganate can help to treat both bacterial and fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot and impetigo.
Before applying potassium permanganate to your skin, it’s important to dilute it with water.
Most medical uses require a dilution of 1 part to 10 when using a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution.
To achieve an appropriate dilution using potassium permanganate 0.1% solution, combine 1 part potassium permanganate with 10 parts hot water. Undiluted potassium permanganate has a striking purple color, but a diluted solution should be pink.
Potassium permanganate must be diluted since undiluted solution may cause burns. Even with dilution it may irritate the skin, and with repeated use may still cause burns.
Potassium permanganate also comes in 400-milligram (mg) tablets.
To utilize the tablets in a bath soak, dissolve 1 tablet in 4 liters of hot water before pouring into the bath. The bath soak may be repeated twice daily for two days.
Here are some guidelines on how to use potassium permanganate for specific conditions:
Infected eczema.
Use or create a dilution of 1 part in 10,000.
Add it to a basin or bath tub and soak the affected part of your body.
Superficial wounds. Apply a dilution of 1 part in 10,000 to a bandage and apply it over your wound. Change the bandage two to three times a day.
Athlete’s foot. For severe infections, soak your foot in a 1 part in 10,000 dilution of potassium permanganate every eight hours.
Depending on how severe your infection is, your doctor might prescribe a stronger solution.
Impetigo. Gently rub a dilution of 1 part in 10,000 on the affected skin to removed loose bits of skin.
Depending on your condition, your doctor might instruct you to create a stronger solution with a dilution of 1 part in 7,000. To achieve this, mix 1 part potassium permanganate with 7 parts hot water.
This will create a slightly darker pink liquid.
Potassium permanganate is a powerful solution that must be diluted before applying it to your skin. If it’s not diluted, it can damage your skin as well as the mucus membranes of your nose, eyes, throat.
Avoid using it near your eyes, and make sure you don’t swallow any, even in its diluted form.
For added safety, make sure you wear gloves when you’re preparing a dilution.
If you’re using potassium permanganate tablets or crystals, make sure they’re fully dissolved in water before using the solution.
Using hot (not boiling) water will help them dissolve.
If it irritates your skin or causes redness, stop using it immediately and contact your doctor.
A German-Dutch chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber was the first to discover the production of KMnO4 in the year 1659.
This compound is water-soluble and consists of two ions: Permanganate ion and potassium ion. It is a dark purple odourless solid in its physical state.
When potassium permanganate crystals are dissolved in water the solution formed is purple.
Potassium permanganate is considered as a strong oxidizing agent and does not produce toxic by products.
Potassium permanganate is usually prepared from other minerals such as manganese oxide.
Potassium permanganate is commercially prepared by mixing solution of KOH and powdered manganese oxide, with oxidizing agents like potassium chlorate.
The mixture is boiled evaporated and the residue is heated in iron pans until it has acquired a pasty consistency.
The potassium manganate (green) so formed is boiled with a large quantity of water and current of chlorine, CO2 and ozonized air is passed into the liquid until it is converted into permanganate.
The MnO2 formed is removed continuously in order to prevent its breaking down the permanganate.
The solution of KMnO4 is drawn off from any precipitate of MnO2 concentrated and crystallized.
The crystals are centrifuged and dried.
Physical Properties Of Potassium Permanganate – KMnO4
Potassium permanganate is an odourless, purple to magenta crystalline solid.
Potassium permanganate is soluble in water, acetone, acetic acid, methanol, and pyridine.
Potassium permanganate gets dissolved in ethanol and organic solvents.
Potassium permanganate occurs in the form of monoclinic prisms, almost opaque with a blue metallic lustre.
Potassium permanganate is odourless. An aqueous solution has a sweetish astringent taste. It is water-soluble and more soluble in boiling water.
Chemical Properties Of Potassium Permanganate
Potassium permanganate is a very strong oxidizing agent and can, therefore, be used as an oxidant in a wide spectrum of chemical reactions.
The oxidizing power of potassium permanganate can be seen while performing a redox reaction with it, in which the dark purple solution turns colourless and then into a brown solution.
The above reaction can be performed in an acidic or a basic medium.
Potassium permanganate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KMnO4 and consisting of K+ and MnO−4.
It is a purplish-black crystalline salt that dissolves in water giving intense pink or purple solutions.
Potassium permanganate is widely used in the chemical industry and laboratories as a powerful oxidizing agent, as well as a drug for dermatitis, cleaning of wounds and general disinfection.
It is included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective drugs needed in a healthcare system.
Potassium permanganate is produced industrially from manganese dioxide, which also occurs as the mineral pyrolusite. MnO2 is fused with potassium hydroxide and heated in air or another oxygen source such as potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate. This process yields potassium manganate.
With sodium hydroxide, the end product is not sodium manganate but a Mn(V) compound, which is a reason why potassium permanganate is more widely used than sodium permanganate. Also, the potassium salt crystallizes better.
Potassium manganate is then converted to permanganate by electrolytic oxidation in alkaline medium.
Uses
Medicine and Pharmaceutical industry
water treatment industry
Synthesis of organic compounds
fruit shelf life extender
fire service
Film and performing arts industry
agriculture sector
Almost all applications of potassium permanganate benefit from its oxidizing properties.
As a strong oxidizer that does not form toxic by-products, KMnO4 has many uses.
Potassium permanganate is used in the treatment of many skin conditions.
This includes fungal foot infections, impetigo, pemphigus, superficial sores, dermatitis and tropical ulcers.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines as one of the safest and most effective drugs.
Potassium permanganate is widely used in the water treatment industry. It is used as a regeneration chemical to remove iron and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) from well water with a "Manganese Green Sand" Filter. “It is also available from pool supply stores and is also used to treat wastewater. It has historically been used to disinfect drinking water. It is currently finding application in freshwater collection and treatment systems to control nuisance organisms such as zebra mussels.
An important application of Potassium Permanganate is its use as a reagent for the synthesis of organic compounds. Significant amounts are required for the synthesis of ascorbic acid, chloramphenicol, saccharin, isonicotinic acid, and pyrazinoic acid.
Ethylene absorbers extend the storage time of bananas, even at high temperatures. This effect can be exploited by packing the bananas in polyethylene with potassium permanganate. Permanganate removes ethylene by oxidation, delaying ripening, extending the shelf life of the fruit up to 4 weeks without the need for refrigeration.
Potassium permanganate is sometimes included in first aid kits: as a hypergolic fire starter; as a water sterilizer; it can be used to generate distress signals in the snow.
Potassium permanganate is added to “plastic sphere dispersants” to create rebound, burning and controlled burns. Polymer spheres, resembling ping pong balls containing small amounts of permanganate, are injected with ethylene glycol and launched towards the area where ignition is desired, where they spontaneously ignite within seconds.
Potassium permanganate is one of the main chemicals used in the film and television industries to age props and clothing. Its ready conversion to brown MnO2 creates “hundred-year-old” or “antique” looks on Hessian fabric (burlap), ropes, timber and glass.
In agricultural chemistry, it is used for the estimation of nitrogen in the soil.
Potassium permanganate for histology is a salt that contains K+ and MnO4– ions.
Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent that provides purple color when dissolved in water.
Solution evaporation creates purple-black, shining crystals.
Potassium permanganate decomposes under light.
Potassium permanganate is industrially manufactured from manganese dioxide.
Due to its strong oxidizing properties, it is used as an antiseptic.
Diluted solutions are used for treating dermatitis and fungal infections on arms and legs.
In histology, KMnO4 is used for bleaching melanin that makes tissue details “blurry”.
Potassium permanganate can also be used for differentiating between AA amyloids and the rest of amyloids deposited in tissue.
Incubation of tissue fixed with potassium permanganate prevents staining AA amyloids with Congo Red dye, and it does not affect other types of amyloids.
Oxidation properties of potassium permanganate are utilized during fluorescence staining of acid-fast bacteria.
Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) is a chemical compound of manganese, potassium and oxygen.
The salt is also known as "permanganate of potash" and "Condy's crystals".
In this salt, manganese is in the +7 oxidation state.
The permanganate ion is a strong oxidizing agent. It dissolves in water to give deep purple solution, evaporation of which gives prismatic purple-black glistening crystals.
It has a sweet taste and is odourless.
In 1659, German chemist J.R. Glauber, fused a mixture of the mineral pyrolusite and potassium carbonate to obtain a material that, when dissolved in water, gave a green solution potassium manganate (K2MnO4) which slowly changed colour to violet to form potassium permanganate and then finally red.
This report has gone down in history as the first description of the production of potassium permanganate.
Around two hundred years later, London chemist Henry Bollmann Condy had an interest in disinfectants, and marketed several products including ozonised water.
He found that fusing pyrolusite with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) and dissolved it in water produced a solution with disinfectant properties.
He patented this solution, and marketed it as Condy's Fluid.
Although effective, the solution was not very stable.
This was overcome by using Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) rather than NaOH.
This was more stable, and had the advantage of easy conversion to the equally effective Potassium Permanganate crystals.
This crystalline material was known as Condy’s crystals or Condy’s powder.
Potassium Permanganate was comparatively easy to manufacture, so Condy was subsequently forced to spend considerable time in litigation in order to stop competitors from marketing products similar to Condy's Fluid or Condy's Crystals.
However, Potassium Permanganate was born and the production started worldwide.
Uses & Applications
Water treatment for disinfection, odour control and maintaining B.O.D. levels
Pickling agent in steel industry for descaling and degreasing
Fumigation of Poultry farms, hatcheries and hospitals
Air purification for odour control and increased oxygen levels
Non-ferrous, metal and metal salts industry for removal of ferrous impurities
Oxidizing and removal of ferrous impurities from inorganic chemicals
Pharmaceutical intermediate manufacture
Organic intermediates and chemicals manufacture
Repacking industry for various institutional, medicinal and household uses
Disease control and disinfection in aquaculture and mushroom culture
Pre-treatment of wood and wooden furniture
Glass industry for coloring and removal of impurities
Welding electrode industry for manufacture of fluxes
Textile processing for bleaching and stain removal
Soil remediation
Forward integration to Sodium Permanganate
Aquaculture / fish culture
Sodium Saccharine
Potassium permanganate is a versatile purple coloured chemical compound.
Potassium permanganate is a potassium salt of manganic acid. Also known as the permanganate of potash, it has many other names such as chameleon mineral, Condy’s crystals and hypermangan. Potassium permanganate was produced for the first time by German chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber in 1659 but was soon forgotten.
Potassium permanganate was rediscovered by British chemist Henry Condy, who manufactured disinfectants known as 'Condy's crystals', potassium permanganate became a big success.
Potassium permanganate has oxidising properties so it has found varied use in the medical and chemical industry.
Its chemical formula is KMnO4.
Potassium Permanganate Structure – KMnO4
Potassium permanganate is an ionic compound consisting of a potassium cation (K+) and permanganate anion (MnO4-).
In permanganate anion (MnO4-) the manganese atom is bonded with four oxygen atoms through three double bonds and one single bond. The oxidation state of manganese in this salt is +7.
The crystal structure of solid KMnO4 is orthorhombic.
Each MnO4- structure is present in a tetrahedral geometry.
Physical Properties of Potassium Permanganate – KMnO4
Potassium Permanganate is a bright purple or bronze coloured chemical compound.
Potassium Permanganate has a density of 2.7g/ml and its molar mass is 158.034g/mol.
The compound is odourless i.e. it has no smell but has a sweet taste.
Potassium Permanganate has a high melting point of 2400 C.
Potassium Permanganate is mostly found in powder, crystal or in tablet form.
Chemical Properties of Potassium Permanganate
Potassium permanganate is soluble in acetone, water, pyridine, methanol and acetic acid. It is also readily soluble in inorganic solvents.
Potassium Permanganate has a rich purple colour in concentrated solution and pink colour in dilute solution.
Potassium Permanganate is not combustible but supports the combustion of other substances.
Under normal conditions, it is a highly stable compound but decomposes upon heating to form MnO2 and liberates oxygen.
Potassium Permanganate is a strong oxidising agent (a compound that can easily transfer its oxygen to other substances) forming a dark brown coloured manganese dioxide (MnO2) which stains anything that is organic.
Potassium Permanganate can readily accept electrons from other substances.
Potassium Permanganate reacts violently with sulphuric acid resulting in an explosion.
Potassium Permanganate reacts immediately with glycerol and simple alcohols producing flame and smoke.
Reactions of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4)
Most of the reactions with Potassium Permanganate are redox reactions (a chemical reaction in which one substance is oxidised and another is reduced).
KMnO4 can oxidise many inorganic compounds.
The medium of solution plays an important role in determining the products of the reaction.
Medical uses
Potassium permanganate acts as a disinfectant Due to its oxidising property, it can act as a disinfectant to treat skin infections such as dermtitis, canker sores, ulcers, eczema and fungal infections. When applied to small wounds, it attacks the outer cell membrane of the microorganism, thereby, oxidising it and destroying its structure. In some cases of large wounds, doctors advise potassium permanganate water baths with dilute solutions. Care must be taken as overuse of this chemical may cause irritation and burns.
Potassium permanganate can be used to clean wounds. Wet wounds like ulcers and abscesses can be cleaned with potassium permanganate solution. This treatment kills the microbes and prevents secondary infection. It also helps in drying out the blisters.
Potassium permanganate is very effective in treating a fungal infection called athlete’s foot. The oxidising action of permanganate solution kills the fungus thereby relieving the symptoms such as itching and burning sensation.
Potassium permanganate can also be used to treat allergies due to reactions to commercial hair dyes. Dyes contain an oxidizer that breaks down the melanin pigment in hair and allows for the dye to penetrate. Due to the incomplete action of dye and oxidizer sometimes there is an allergic reaction that causes discomfort and itchiness. Permanganate solution is applied in such a case as a compress to relieve the symptoms and to completely oxidise the dye.
Water treatment
Potassium permanganate is used in water treatment plants to kill contaminants and also to remove foul smells from water.
Potassium permanganate oxidises iron, hydrogen sulphide and manganese into solid particles which are then removed by filtration.
The treatment does not produce any toxic substance so it is very safe for use.
Potassium permanganate can also be used to clean water in swimming pools.
Analytical and organic chemistry
Due to its strong colour and oxidising nature, potassium permanganate is used in chemistry labs as a reagent to calculate the amount of substance that can be oxidised in a sample.
This value is referred to as the permanganate value.
In the paper-making industry, the kappa number (amount of standard permanganate solution consumed by wood pulp) is used to find out the amount of chemical needed to bleach the pulp. Inorganic chemistry labs it is often used in reactions with organic compounds.
Other uses
When mixed with 80% hydrogen sulphide it acts as a propellant for rockets and torpedoes.
In rural areas, it is used to remove iron and hydrogen sulphide from well water.
It can also help to remove rust from water pipes.
It can be used to remove snails from plants before being transferred to an aquarium.
It is an important component in survival kits along with glycerine/ glucose tablets where it can come in handy in creating fire. By rubbing glucose tablets with permanganate powder, fire can be started. It can also be used to clean water and clean wounds.
It can be used as an antidote in case of phosphorus poisoning.
It is often used to treat parasite infections in fish.
Effects on Health
KMnO4 is a hazardous chemical as even short term exposure may cause discomfort. By following personal hygiene and taking proper precautions in handling potassium permanganate one can avoid health hazards. Some of its effects on health are as follows:
Concentrated KMnO4 causes irritation to the skin and eyes. Long term exposure may damage the eyes permanently.
If inhaled, it can cause irritation to the nose and throat. Even the lungs may be affected causing coughing, shortness of breath and pulmonary oedema (buildup of fluids in lungs).
KMnO4 may also affect the liver and kidneys.
Long term exposure may affect fertility.
Hence article is very important to understand the chemical potassium permanganate. All the necessary details of KMnO4 is provided here such as its physical, chemical properties, reactions, uses and effects on health.
Other names:
7722-64-7
Chameleon mineral
potassium;permanganate
KMnO4
MFCD00011364
00OT1QX5U4
Argucide
Walko Tablets
Algae-K
Solo San Soo
Pure Light E 2
Caswell No. 699
Hilco #88
CCRIS 5561
HSDB 1218
EINECS 231-760-3
UN1490
NSC 146182
UNII-00OT1QX5U4
CI 77755
AI3-52835
EC 231-760-3
DTXSID2034839
