The reaction between glycerine and potassium permanganate is a reaction, where the glycerine spontaneously combusts when the glycerine comes into contact with the potassium permanganate.
The experiment is very simple, but the reaction is very strong and must be done very carefully, especially on the handling potassium permanganate and in the amounts to be put into the reaction.
EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS
- Vegetable Glycerin (5ml)
- Potassium Permanganate (10g)
STEP-BY-STEP EXPERIMENT
- Take 10 g of potassium permanganate and place it in a ceramic container that can withstand high temperature. Protect the surrounding area
- Pour 5 ml of glycerine on top of the permanganate, spreading it well.
- Be very careful with the quantities, as in this experiment fire is provoked.
TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF THE EXPERIMENT
Potassium permanganate is a product with a high oxidation potential. This means that in its presence (when in contact with it), it oxidises many elements. For example, when it comes into contact with glycerine (or with organic elements), they oxidise, and when carbon is oxidised in the presence of oxygen, it produces a combustion reaction, generating a spontaneous flame.
This is the formula for the experiment:
4KMnO4 + 4C3H5(OH)3 => 7K2CO3 + 7Mn2O3 + 5CO2+16H2O
Excellent explanation .
I did that experiment out of curiosity but in a test tube. I didn't know what I was doing, I almost set fire to the pharmacy.