An Overview on KMnO4 Reactions

Potassium permanganate, also abbreviated as KMnO4, is used in many laboratories and chemical industries as a powerful oxidising agent. Potassium permanganate is a crystalline salt that is purple-black. KMnO4 is also known as the most common oxidation agent among the various agents, and it is used to oxidise a very broad range of structured or organic molecules. Generally, the products acquired at the end depend on various conditions, but due to KMnO4 as an oxidising agent, the net product is a carboxylic acid. In this article, we’ll tell you about the reactions of potassium permanganate with different elements, what is manganese dioxide, and the reaction of KMnO4 HCl.

Potassium Permanganate

Johann Rudolf Glauber was the first German-Dutch scientist who discovered the production of KMnO4 in the period 1659. The compound he found was water-soluble, and it comprises two ions, namely potassium ion and permanganate ion. His compound was dark purple and was an odourless solid in its natural state.

When the crystals of potassium permanganate ions are dissolved in water, the solution formed is purple.  Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidising agent that does not produce deadly by-products. The ions of potassium permanganate are generally cooked from different minerals, such as manganese dioxide.

Preparation of Potassium Permanganate

The potassium permanganate ions are commercially cooked by mixing the solvent of KOH and powdery magnesium oxide, adding some oxidising agents such as potassium chlorate.

This mixture is cooked and evaporated, and the matter is heated in pans of iron until it has adopted a pasty consistency.

6KOH + 6KClO3 + 3MnO2 → 3K2MnO4 +  3H2O + 6KCl 

After the reaction, the potassium magnet turns green, and so it is formed when it is boiled with a significant amount of water and a course of chloride. Ozonized air and carbon dioxide are passed over into the liquid and then extended into permanganate. In the process, the Mno2 form is conditionally removed to prevent the breaking down of the permanganate.

6K2MnO4 + 3Cl2 → 6KMnO4 (Potassium Permanganate) + 6KCl

The mixture of KMnO4 is pulled as the sediment of Mno2, which is crystallised and concentrated. The crystals are dried and centrifuged. 

Physical properties of KMnO4– Potassium Permanganate

•  Potassium permanganate is an odourless solid which is purple to Magenta.
• Potassium permanganate is soluble in water, acetic acid, pyridine, methanol, and acetone. 
• Potassium permanganate dissolves in organic solvents and ethanol
•  KMnO4 or potassium permanganate happens in Monoclinic prisms, which are just about opaque in size and have a blue metallic lustre. 
•  Potassium permanganate is an aqua solution with a Swedish sour taste,  and it is water-soluble, which is more soluble in boiling water. 

Chemical properties of KMnO4 –  Potassium Permanganate 

• Potassium permanganate or KMnO4 is a powerful oxidising agent. Therefore, it can be used as an oxidiser in many chemical reactions.
• The power of potassium permanganate as an oxidiser can be seen when it performs a Redox reaction. The dark purple mixture changes into colourless and so into a brown-coloured solution.
• The potassium permanganate reactions can be performed in a basic or acidic medium.

Reactions of KMnO4 – Potassium Permanganate 

Thermal decomposition

When coagulated potassium permanganate is heated up, it goes through decomposition.  The reaction is mentioned below;

2KMnO4→ K2MnO4 + MnO2(s) + O2

Reaction with acid (HCL)

When potassium permanganate acts with cogitated hydrochloric acid or the reaction of KMnO4 HCl, it generates or produces chlorine.  In a neutral solution, the permanganate is cut down by 3 electrons to bring forth magnesium dioxide where the oxidation state of manganese is + 4,  then the potassium permanganate is cut down spontaneously in alkalic solution and turns into green K2MnO4

Conclusion

KMnO4 or potassium permanganate is also known as permanganate of potash or Condy’s crystals. Potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound. Johann Rudolph Glauber was the first German-Dutch chemist who discovered the production of KMnO4. By 1659 he discovered that the compound is water-soluble and comprises two ions, namely, potassium ion and permanganate ion. There is potassium permanganate in various Laboratories and chemical industries, a strong oxidising agent. It is also used for medication or cleaning wounds or, in general, can be called a disinfectant. It is one of the compounds on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines.