Chemical database: 18. Potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is a salt that comes in form of dark purple crystals at standard conditions. Density = 2.703 g/cm3. Melting point = 270°C (at this temperature, it decomposes). Boiling point = None. KMnO4 is soluble in water (the solution has a nice purple color). When handling KMnO4, one should use gloves since potassium permanganate can cause skin coloration which can not be washed off. However, if that does happen, one should not worry, because in 24 to 48 hours, it should gradually fade. KMnO4 is a powerful oxidizing agent, and most of its use is related to the mentioned property. It is used in organic syntheses, as an oxidant in rocket engines, in pyrotechnics, in certain types of torpedoes, as a disinfectant, etc.

KMnO4 can be bought in drugstores/pharmacies in small boxes that hold around 10 grams of this compound, for less than 1€. It can also often be bought or ordered in larger amounts (100 or 1000 grams). Of course, it can also be ordered from chemical selling companies.