Potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) exhibits strong oxidizing properties. KMnO₄ on dissolution in benzene and on complexation with dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, affords a useful oxidizing reagent. This reagent participates as an oxidant for the oxidation of olefins, alcohols, aldehydes and alkyl benzenes under mild conditions.

Potassium permanganate, a dark violet colored crystalline solid, is a strong oxidizing agent for a wide range of organic compounds. It is commonly used as a disinfectant to treat external infections in aquaculture. Corncobs pretreated with alkaline potassium permanganate solution showed high carbohydrate recovery due to the increased enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose. The acidic potassium permanganate acts a chemiluminescence reagent for the determination of organic compounds.

Layered MnO₂ with very promising characteristics for battery applications is produced by thermal decomposition of KMnO₄.

Potassium permanganate may be employed as an oxidizing agent in the synthesis of the following:

• sulfonal (2,2-bisethylsulfonyyl)propane
• cinchomeronic acid (pyridine-3,4-dicarboxylic acid)
• isonicotinic acid (pyridine-4-carboxylic acid)
• manganese(IV) sulfate

Potassium permanganate may be used as an oxidant for the conversion of aromatic aldehydes to corresponding amides in liquid ammonia.

Suitable for heterogeneous oxidations.