Why is potassium permanganate acidified?

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Why is potassium permanganate acidified?

2006-10-27 07:25:35 · 3 answers · asked by Laura H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

3 answers

KMnO4 is a powerful oxidising agent, which means that it undergoes reduction according to the following half reaction equation

MnO4 + 8H^+ + 5e = Mn^2+ + 4H2O

As you can see the reduction cannot take place unless H^+ is present...and the easiest way to have this, is to add acid!

2006-10-27 07:48:31 · answer #1 · answered by drjaycat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋

It is because the manganate ions take up hydrogen atoms hence the name pH (power of hydrogen)...

2006-10-27 07:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by pizza1512 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

i like the 2ed answer but still not specific

2006-10-27 09:04:15 · answer #3 · answered by source_of_love_69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋