Potassium permanganate

Athanor · official

KMnO₄ · 158.034 g/mol

Also called Condys crystals, permanganate of potash

Inorganic

Open in Athanor

Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit

DangerMay intensify fire; oxidizer · Harmful if swallowed · Suspected of damaging the unborn child · Very toxic to aquatic life · Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name: potassium permanganate
Synonyms: Condys crystals, permanganate of potash, Chameleon mineral
+ 37 more
Condy's crystals, Permanganate of potash, Argucide, Cairox, Walko Tablets, Insta-perm, Algae-K, Solo San Soo, Pure Light E 2, Potassium permanganate (KMnO4), Caswell No. 699, Diversey Diversol CXU, Kaliumpermanganat, Permanganic acid (HMnO4), potassium salt, Permanganato potasico, Permanganate de potassium, Diversey Diversol CX with Arodyne, Manganese potassium oxide (KMnO4), Kali permanganicum, Potassio (permanganato di), Potassium (permanganate de), EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 068501, Permanganic acid potassium salt, 00OT1QX5U4, CI 77755, DTXSID2034839, C.I. 77755, Icc 237 Disinfectant, Sanitizer, Destainer, and Deodorizer, NSC-146182, Permanganate, Potassium, trioxo(potassiooxy)manganese, Permitabs, En-potab, RefChem:6674, DTXCID0014839, 231-760-3, NSC146182
Molecular formula: KMnO₄
Empirical formula: KMnO₄
Molecular weight: 158.034 g/mol
Exact mass: 157.88141
CAS number: 7722-64-7
PubChem CID: 516875
Canonical SMILES: [O-][Mn](=O)(=O)=O.[K+]
Isomeric SMILES: [O-][Mn](=O)(=O)=O.[K+]
InChI: InChI=1S/K.Mn.4O/q+1;;;;;-1
InChIKey: VZJVWSHVAAUDKD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity

Appearance: Bipyrimidal rhombic prisms[4]
4 values
From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.
Value As written Source
– Potassium permanganate appears as a purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material. If the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive. Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition. Contact with sulfuric acid may cause fire or explosion. Used to make other chemicals and as a disinfectant. [1] CAMEO Chemicals
– CBI; Dry Powder [2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
– DARK PURPLE CRYSTALS. [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–shown Bipyrimidal rhombic prisms [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V15 (95) 1023
Melting point: greater than 240 °C (464 °F, USCG 1999)[1]
Density: 2.7 g/cm³[3]
3 values
3 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).
Value As written Source
– 2.7 at 59 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water [1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–shown 2.7 g/cm³ [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
– 2.7 @25 °C [5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
Solubility in water: Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 6.4 (moderate)[3]
4 values
From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.
Value As written Source
– Soluble in acetone and methanol [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997., p. 920
– Soluble in acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic anhydride, pyridine, benzonitrile, sulfolane. [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V15 (1995) 1023
– In water, 6.40X10+4 mg/l @ 20 °C [4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites PMID:2205893 Shiu WY et al; Rev Environ Contam Toxicol 116: 15-187 (1990)
–shown Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 6.4 (moderate) [3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
log P: 1.73 (calculated)[3]
Vapor pressure: Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
Vapor pressure at 20 °C: negligible (could not be read; source [3])
Autoignition temperature: Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
Not flammable (USCG, 1999) (could not be read; source [1])

Value	As written	Source
–	Potassium permanganate appears as a purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material. If the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive. Contact with liquid combustible materials may result in spontaneous ignition. Contact with sulfuric acid may cause fire or explosion. Used to make other chemicals and as a disinfectant.	[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–	CBI; Dry Powder	[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–	DARK PURPLE CRYSTALS.	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–shown	Bipyrimidal rhombic prisms	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V15 (95) 1023

Value	As written	Source
–	2.7 at 59 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water	[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–shown	2.7 g/cm³	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–	2.7 @25 °C	[5] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

Value	As written	Source
–	Soluble in acetone and methanol	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997., p. 920
–	Soluble in acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, acetic anhydride, pyridine, benzonitrile, sulfolane.	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V15 (1995) 1023
–	In water, 6.40X10+4 mg/l @ 20 °C	[4] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites PMID:2205893 Shiu WY et al; Rev Environ Contam Toxicol 116: 15-187 (1990)
–shown	Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 6.4 (moderate)	[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms: 6
Rings: 0
Aromatic rings: 0
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3): 0
H-bond donors: 0
H-bond acceptors: 4
Rotatable bonds: 0
TPSA (Å²): 74.3
Formal charge: 0
Complexity: 118 PubChem
Stereocenters: None
Double-bond geometry: None specified
Point group: C1 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

K24.74%
Mn34.76%
O40.50%

Isotope pattern

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P: -4.54 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility): 2.04 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility: 5.85 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

Molecular weight ≤ 500: 158.03
log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): -4.54
H-bond donors ≤ 5: 0
H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 4

Passes all four rules.

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [6].

Oxidizer
Harmful or irritant
Health hazard
Environmental hazard

H272May intensify fire; oxidizer
H302Harmful if swallowed
H361dSuspected of damaging the unborn child
H400Very toxic to aquatic life
H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements: P203, P210, P220, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P317, P318, P330, P370+P378, P391, P405, P501

View all classifications (3)

[6] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH272, H302, H361d, H400, H410
[7] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 7.8% (37 of 472) of reports.
[7] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 472 reports · DangerH272, H302, H314, H318, H361d, H373, H400, H410

Exposure limits

TLV: (as Mn, respirable fraction): 0.02 mg/m[3]
IDLH: 500 mg/cu m (manganese compounds and fume (as Mn))[4]
EU-OEL: (as Mn, inhalable fraction): 0.2 mg/m[3]

First aid

Ingestion: Induce vomiting and follow with thorough gastric lavage, demulcents, glucose I.V., fluid therapy, and antibiotics. Tracheostomy may be lifesaving. (USCG, 1999)[1]
General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped…[8]
Fresh air. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.[3]
Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again. Refer for medical attention .[3]

Storage

Separated from combustible substances, reducing agents and powdered metals. Well closed. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.[3]

Incompatibilities

Contact ... (WITH glycerol) MAY produce explosion.[4]
Crystals OF potassium permanganate explode vigorously WHEN ground WITH phosphorus.[4]
Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, pentanol, or isopentanol do not ignite immediately upon mixing with red fuming nitric acid, but addition of potassium permanganate (20%) to the acid before mixing causes immediate ignition.[4]
For more Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities (Complete) data for potassium permanganate (20 total), please visit the HSDB record page.[4]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: Sigma-Aldrich, abcr GmbH, BenchChem.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

[1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[4]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[5]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[6]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[7]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[8]Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) · Public domain (US DOT) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
[9]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.