To share this content with an AI assistant
KMnO₄

Potassium permanganate

IUPAC : Potassium permanganate
SaltLaboratoryIndustrialPharmaceutical

Iconic purple oxidiser in chemistry classes. Used for water treatment, as a dilute antiseptic and as a titrimetric reagent in quantitative analysis (permanganometry).

3D ball-and-stick representation of Potassium permanganate (formula KMnO₄). Constituent atoms: K, Mn, O.
Scroll to activate 3D

Physical properties

Molar mass158.034 g/mol
State at 20 °Csolid
Density2.703 g/cm³
Melting point513.00 K (240 °C)
Boiling point—
Solubility (H₂O)7.6 g/100 mL à 25 °C

Structure

Crystal systemOrthorhombic
3D render modeBall-and-stick

Uses and applications

  • Water treatment (oxidation of iron, manganese, H₂S)
  • Permanganometry (titration of reducing agents)
  • Dilute antiseptic (foot baths, washes)
  • Organic synthesis (Baeyer oxidation)
  • Survival and camping (starting a fire with glycerol)

Safety (GHS)

GHS03 · OxidisingGHS05 · CorrosiveGHS07 · Harmful / irritantGHS09 · Environmental hazard
H statements : H272, H302, H314, H410

Powerful oxidiser. Stains skin brown (MnO₂). Reacts violently with organic and reducing matter.

Constituent elements

19K
Potassium
25Mn
Manganese
8O
Oxygen

References

PubChem CID516875
CAS7722-64-7
SMILES[K+].[O-][Mn](=O)(=O)=O
Sources : PubChem CID 516875 · CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics