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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