Student Handout: Permanganate Reduction Kinetics
Experiment Title: Rate of Reaction — Reduction of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO■)
Overall Idea: Observe the fading of purple KMnO■ colour as it reacts with a reducing agent (e.g., oxalic acid or
H■O■) in acidic solution. Measure how concentration, temperature, surface area (if using solids), and
catalysts affect the rate.
Reaction (example with H■O■):
2 MnO■■ + 5 H■O■ + 6 H■ → 2 Mn²■ + 5 O■ + 8 H■O
Why this reaction? The deep purple colour of permanganate fades to colourless Mn²■ — easy to monitor
visually or with a simple colorimeter. Gives continuous data (absorbance or colour intensity vs time).
Materials (suggested):
- Potassium permanganate (KMnO■) solution (dilute, e.g., 0.002–0.01 M)
- Reducing agent: Oxalic acid solution or hydrogen peroxide (3–6%)
- Sulfuric acid (dilute) or dilute H■SO■ to provide acidic medium (use very dilute solutions)
- Conical flasks, beakers, measuring cylinders, pipettes
- Stopwatch, thermometer
- Water bath / ice bath for temperature control
- Colorimeter/spectrometer (optional) or visual observation with standard reference
- Safety: goggles, gloves, lab coat
General Method:
1. Prepare a standard KMnO■ solution and a fresh reducing-agent solution. Standardize volumes (e.g., 50 mL
KMnO■ + reagent).
2. Place KMnO■ + acid in a flask (pre-equilibrated to desired temperature).
3. Add the reducing agent to start the reaction and start the timer immediately.
4. Record colour intensity (or time to reach a chosen lightness) every 10–15 s for 2–5 minutes. If using a
colorimeter, record absorbance vs time at appropriate wavelength (e.g., 525 nm).
5. Repeat for different concentrations, temperatures, and catalyst/surface-area conditions. Run at least 3
replicates per condition.
Factor How to Test Expected Result
Concentration Vary [KMnO■] or [reducing agent] (e.g., 0.002, 0.005, 0.01 M) [reactant] → faster decay of purple
Higher
Temperature Run at ~5°C, 25°C, ~40°C Higher T → faster reaction
Catalyst/Autocatalysis Add small Mn²■ seed or compare presence/absence
Mn²■ can accelerate reaction (autocatalysis)
Surface Area If using solid reductant, compare powdered vs lumpsGreater surface area → faster reaction
Run Condition Temp (°C) Time (s) Absorbance / Colour Intensity
1
2
3
4
Safety & Disposal:
- KMnO■ is an oxidizer and stains; handle carefully and avoid skin contact.
- Use dilute sulfuric acid only and handle with care under teacher supervision.
- Wear goggles, gloves, and lab coat; work in a well-ventilated area.
- Dispose of reaction mixtures by diluting heavily with water and follow school disposal rules.
- Keep away from organic materials and open flames (oxidizer hazard).
Analysis:
- Plot Absorbance (or colour intensity) vs Time for each condition.
- Determine initial rate from slope of early linear region (or compare half-life/time to reach set absorbance).
- For temperature study, you may calculate approximate activation energy using the Arrhenius relation (optional).
- Discuss sources of error (mixing time, temperature control, instrument limitations).
Prepared for school kinetics project — suitable for a group of 4 students. Run trials under teacher supervision.
