The above chemical equation describes the redox reaction between potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and sulfuric acid (H2SO2) to form potassium sulfite (K2SO3), manganese sulfate (MnSO4), and water (H2O).
- Reaction conditions:
For the reaction to take place, concentrated sulfuric acid is needed, and the temperature must be maintained at a certain level. For many other redox reactions, a catalyst is needed to speed up the reaction, but in this case, KMnO4 itself acts as the catalyst.
- Reaction Process:
During the reaction process, KMnO4 acts as a strong oxidizing agent, accepting electrons from H2SO2 and reducing to MnSO4. In this process, H2SO2 is oxidized to K2SO3.
- Occurring Phenomena:
When the reaction takes place, you will see the color of the solution change from the purple of KMnO4 to a pale pink or colorless when all manganese(VII) ions have been reduced to manganese(II). This is a sign indicating that the reaction has been completed.