Specification: |
A permanganate is the general name for a chemical compound containing the manganate(VII) ion, (MnO4−). Because manganese is in the +7 oxidation state, the manganate(VII) ion is a strong oxidizing agent. The ion has a tetrahedral geometry Permanganate solutions are purple in color and are stable in neutral or slightly alkaline media.
In an acidic solution, manganate(VII) is reduced to the colourless +2 oxidation state of the manganese(II) (Mn2+) ion.
8 H3O + + MnO4− + 5 e− → Mn2+ + 12 H2O
In a strongly basic solution, manganate(VII) is either reduced to the brown +4 oxidation state of manganese dioxide MnO2 or to the green +6 oxidation state of the manganate MnO42−.
2 H2O + MnO4− + 3 e− → MnO2 + 4 OH−
MnO4− + e− → MnO42−
|