Substance profile
Potassium permanganate
Potassium permanganate is dark purple or bronze-like crystals; Almost opaque by transmitted light and of a blue and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Potassium permanganate is
Potassium permanganate is dark purple or bronze-like crystals; Almost opaque by transmitted light and of a blue and is odorless. Its molecular formula is KMnO4 and its molecular weight is 158.034 g/mol. It melts at 240 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Potassium permanganate
- Condy's crystals
- KMnO4
- C.I. 77755
- Cairox
- Chameleon Mineral
- Permanganic Acid Potassium Salt
- Pure Light E 2
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidiser. |
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P273, P301, P312, P330, P391, P501
This page lists only the codes assigned to Potassium permanganate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Potassium permanganate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 240 °C (464 °F) | above this value | CAMEO |
| Decomposes | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.7 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Soluble in many organic solvents; also by concentrated acids with the liberation of oxygen. | HSDB | |
| Soluble in acetone and methanol | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic anhydride, pyridine, benzonitrile, sulfolane. | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | Vapor pressure at 20 °C: negligible | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Potassium permanganate
Incompatible materials
CAUTION: TAKE GREAT CARE IN HANDLING AS EXPLOSIONS MAY OCCUR IF IT IS BROUGHT INTO CONTACT WITH ORG OR OTHER READILY OXIDIZABLE SUBSTANCES, EITHER IN SOLN OR IN DRY STATE.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Potassium permanganate in the storage compatibility matrix →
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