Potassium permanganate has no nutritional value. You are more likely to encounter this chemical in your college chemistry lab or in the film industry, where it is used to give props an antique appearance. Medically, there are few uses for potassium permanganate. While it was once used to treat gonorrhea, as of 2011, it is more commonly used as a disinfectant in special circumstances.
Reactions with Alkenes
Potassium permanganate reacts with alkenes and converts them into diols. Alkenes are a class of organic compounds that have at least one double bond. Diols are a special type of alcohol. Chemical supplier Norkem explains that this behavior is also used as a qualitative test for the presence of double or triple bonds in a molecule. The most common diol in everyday life is propylene glycol, or antifreeze. The alkene double bond can also be cleaved to form carboxylic acids under acidic conditions.
Reactions with Acids
Potassium permanganate reacts with sulfuric acid to produce the explosive manganese heptoxide. This is an extremely exothermic, or heat-producing reaction. As a solid, manganese heptoxide forms dark green-brown crystals. Manganese heptoxide is stable at -5 degrees Celsius, but very unstable at warmer temperatures. Laboratory accidents can result in the formation of this chemical, such as those described in American Industrial Hygiene Association reports.
Reactions with Glycerin
Mixing a few drops of glycerin with a tablespoon of potassium permanganate produces a reaction so exothermic that the reaction mixture ignites. Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizer. This means that it gains electrons easily. This reaction occurs so easily because glycerin gives up electrons easily. The reaction stops after all the glycerin is consumed.
Potassium Permanganate Properties
The dark purple crystals of potassium permanganate dissolve easily in water and form intense purple solutions. This is an inorganic reagent, meaning that there are no carbon or hydrogen atoms. The molecular weight of this compound is 158.03 g/mole. Since it is absorbed through skin, people who work with it should wear gloves and safety goggles.
References
- The Journal of the American Medical Association"; The Treatment of Gonorrhea in the Male Urethra; Edward L. Keyes; November 1920
- American Industrial Hygiene Association: Laboratory Safety Incidents: Explosions
- "Organic Syntheses"; Carboxylic Acids from the Oxidation of Terminal Aklenes by Permanganate: Nonadecanoic Acid; Donald G. Lee, et al.; 1990
- Norkem: Potassium Permanganate
- Chemistry Comes Alive!: Oxidation of Glycerin by Potassium Permanganate
- Tech-FAQ: Potassium Permanganate
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