Chemical Properties
Violet-brown or black, hygroscopic
crystals. Decomposes
on exposure to light and air; soluble in water and
acids; decomposes in alcohol.
Uses
Oxidizing agent, medicine (antiseptic).
General Description
A purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates burning of combustible material. Explosion hazard if the combustible material is finely divided. Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition. Contact with sulfuric acid may result in fires or explosions.
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Acetic acid or acetic anhydride can explode with permanganates if not kept cold [Von Schwartz 1918. p. 34]. Explosions can occur when permanganates treated with sulfuric acid come in contact with benzene, carbon disulfide, diethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, petroleum, or organic matter.
Health Hazard
Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Safety Profile
Probably a skin, eye,
and mucous membrane irritant. Flammable
by chemical reaction with reducing agents. A
powerful oxidzing agent. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of ZnO.
Used as an antiseptic. See also
MANGANESE COMPOUNDS and ZINC
COMPOUNDS.
