Published on March 6, 2017
Potassium Permanganate Colour Change – part of our “Berzelius Day” uploading 24 videos in 24 hours. Full video containing this reaction at:
NOTE FROM THE PROFESSOR: The colour change is caused by the purple permanaganate ions [MnO4]- gaining electrons to form colourless Mn(+2) ions. The oxygen from the permanganate and the H2O2 are converted to H2O and O2 (which bubbles off). The extra H atoms come from the sulphuric acid H2SO4. Both the K and Mn end up as sulfates.
See our 24 reactions playlist as it unfolds at:
Berzelius Day explained:
More chemistry at
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And on at
From the School of Chemistry at The University of Nottingham:
Periodic Videos films are by video journalist Brady Haran