Unsaturation test with potassium manganate(VII)

A photograph showing potassium permanganate in a glass beaker

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Use a solution of potassium manganate to test for unsaturation in organic compounds in this microscale practical. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students use a solution of potassium manganate(VII) in propanone to detect whether an organic compound is unsaturated. Unsaturated compounds turn the solution a brownish colour as the manganese(VII) is reduced to manganese(IV).

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