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Potassium permanganate

By 2009-11-01T00:00:00

Fruit

Source: Fotolia

Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives.

What uses does KMnO4 have? 

A major use is as a steriliser - it's strong oxidising properties make it an effective disinfectant. Complaints such as athlete's foot and some fungal infections are treated by bathing the affected area in KMnO4 solution. The compound is commercially available as a disinfectant, eg Condy's Fluid. In warm climates, vegetables are washed in a KMnO4 solution to remove bacteria such as E.coli and S. aureus. 

Organic chemists use KMnO4 as a strong oxidising agent, and it also finds commercial use in the manufacture of important compounds such as saccharin, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and benzoic acid. Baeyer's reagent is an alkaline solution of KMnO4 and is used to detect unsaturated organic compounds, but because the solution also reacts with extraneous impurities bromine water is more commonly used. However, the reaction of KMnO4 with alkenes is commercially important in extending the shelf life of fruit, flowers and vegetables. 

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