An Overview on the Uses of KMnO4

Potassium permanganate, also abbreviated as KMnO4, is used in many laboratories and chemical industries as a powerful oxidising agent. Potassium permanganate uses 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 potassium permanganate uses and what are potassium permanganate crystals.

Define Potassium Permanganate

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. KMnO4 or potassium permanganate is widely used in laboratories in the chemical industry. When the crystals of potassium permanganate ions are dissolved in water, the solution formed is purple. Potassium permanganate happens to be 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.

Reactions of KMnO4 – Potassium Permanganate 

Reaction with acidulant

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

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 Alkali’s

When cooked or heated with alkalies, the potassium permanganate crystals change their state into magnate and due to which oxygen gas is germinated.

Properties of oxidation

KMnO4 is, also known as potassium permanganate, is a very strong oxidising agent in neutral alkaline and acidic medium. Below-mentioned are the equations describing the oxidation process of these mediums;

In an alkaline or neutral medium

2KMnO4 + H2O → 2KOH + 2MnO2 + 3[O] MnO4— + 2H2O + 3e- → MnO2 + 4OH-

In acidic medium

2KMnO4 + H2SO4 → K2SO4 + 2MnSO4 + 3H2O + 5[O] MnO4— + 8H+ + 5e– → Mn2+ + 4H2O

Uses of KMnO4 — Potassium Permanganate 

Mostly all the applications of potassium permanganate utilise the properties of its oxidation.

Being a powerful oxidant, it does not produce harmful by-products. The potassium permanganate (KMnO4) has various essential uses, such as;

Medical Uses

The use of potassium permanganate crystals or KMnO4 is in various types of medicine. It is used for skincare conditions. The skin conditions consist of impetigo, pemphigus, dermatitis, tropical ulcers, and fungal infection in the foot. It is one of the compounds on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines.

Water Treatment

Potassium permanganate or KMnO4 is used broadly in the industry of water treatment. It has its uses to remove hydrogen sulphide and iron from the wells via a filter known as “Manganese Greensand”. A compound “Pot Perm” is also acquired at pool provision stores, as it is used to treat wastewater. Earlier it was used as a disinfectant for drinking water and can also turn water pink.

Synthesis of Organic compounds

One of potassium permanganate’s primary use or applications is as a chemical agent for synthesising an organic compound. A significant amount is required to synthesise acids such as saccharin acid, ascorbic acid, chloramphenicol, and pyrazines acid.

To test the presence of unsaturation, the qualitative organic analysis of KMnO4 is used. Sometimes the potassium permanganate is also referred to as Baeyer’s Reagent.

The reactions with triple or double bonds incepts the colour to wither from purplish to pink to brown. The test of formic acids and aldehydes also results in a positive test. 

Fruit Preservation

The Ethylene sorbents’ extent holds the time of bananas in even high temperatures. This effect can be exploited by the process of packing bananas in polythene together with KMnO4 or potassium permanganate. By withdrawing ethylene by the process of oxidation, the permanganate holds up the ripening and increases the fruit life up to four weeks without the need for cooling or refrigeration.  

Survival kits

Potassium permanganate or KMnO4 is sometimes in the survival kit as the hypergolic fire starter, a mixture of glycerol antifreeze from a car heater or radiator, water steriliser, and producing distress invitations on snow.

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 as 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.