A spontaneous exothermic reaction

A purple-red flame against a black background

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Illustrate the reaction between glycerol and potassium manganate(VII) to produce flames and steam in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students observe what happens when glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) is mixed together with potassium manganate(VII). The mixture bursts into flame, giving off clouds of steam, after a short time lag.

This reaction can be used as a fun demonstration to show a spontaneous reaction, or as an example of the redox reaction between a fuel and a powerful oxidising agent.

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