Thermochemistry- Reaction of Potassium Permanganate and Glycerine

Reaction of Potassium Permanganate and Glycerine

Description: Addition of glycerine to a pile of potassium permanganate produces white smoke and a purple flame. The reaction is not instantaneous, but depends on the fineness of the solid crystals.

This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 1 CD-Rom.

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 83

Keywords: Glycerin, Potassium Permanganate,  Crystals, Flame

Rating:

Hazard: High

• Carcinogenicity hazard
• Acute toxicity hazard
• Flammability hazard
• Aquatic toxicity hazard
• Burn hazard
• Inhalation hazard
• Skin corrosion hazard
• Serious eye damage hazard
• Oxidizer solid hazard

Effectiveness: Good

• Good connection from demo to course material
• Good effects seen by audience
• Time to results is low
• High reliability
• Results are observable without guidance

Difficulty: Medium

• Simple manipulations for most to perform
• Some intermediate steps to results
• Use of toxic reagents
• Demos require training to perform correctly
• Use of flammable reagents

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Gloves required
• Lab coat recommended
• Downdraft hood or fume hood required
• Use of flame resistant surface
• ABC fire extinguish on hand
• Perform in a well-ventilated area

Class: Thermochemistry, Redox Chemistry

Division: General

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