This equation describes the reaction between potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4), resulting in potassium oxalate (K2C2O4), manganese sulfate (MnSO4), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide gas (CO2).
- Reaction conditions
The reaction occurs in an acidic environment.
- Reaction process
KMnO4 and H2C2O4 react with each other in an acidic environment to produce K2C2O4, MnSO4, H2O, and CO2 gas. Since KMnO4 is a strong oxidizer, it can oxidize H2C2O4 into CO2. In this process, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from an oxidation state of +7 to an oxidation state of +2, resulting in MnSO4.
- Phenomena occur
When KMnO4 reacts with H2C2O4, the solution will change from the purple color of KMnO4 to colorless as KMnO4 is reduced. If the reaction occurs in a high-temperature environment, CO2 gas will be released from the solution.