Acidic potassium permanganate sulfur dioxide reaction

Potassium permanganate and sulfur dioxide can react chemically, and the reduction products are different in different media. We know that potassium permanganate solution has a good disinfection and sterilization effect. In addition, the concentration of potassium permanganate solution is different, and the sterilization effect will also be different. If it is a high-concentration potassium permanganate solution, it will be highly corrosive and irritating to tissues. Let’s take a look at this aspect.

The reaction between sulfur dioxide and potassium permanganate generally does not produce any precipitation.

Potassium permanganate and sulfur dioxide can only react under acidic conditions. Acidic potassium permanganate solution is also often used to remove SO2. The chemical formula is 5SO2+2KMnO4+2H2O=K2SO4+2MnSO4+2H2SO4. When SO2 is passed into potassium permanganate solution, the solution changes from purple to dark green.

In different media, the reduction products of potassium permanganate are different. MnO2 precipitation will be generated in neutral media, and no precipitation will be generated in acidic and alkaline media:

Acidic medium: 2KMnO4 + 5SO2 + 2H2O = 2KHSO4 + 2MnSO4 + H2SO4

Neutral medium: 2KMnO4 + 3SO2 + 2H2O = K2SO4 + 2MnO2↓ + 2H2SO4

Alkaline medium: 2KMnO4 + SO2 + 4KOH = K2SO4 + 2K2MnO4 + 2H2O

Disinfection and sterilization effects of potassium permanganate lotion with different concentrations

If the concentration is different, the disinfection effect will also be different. Therefore, when purchasing, you must check the concentration and proportion of potassium permanganate and whether it is suitable for home use. Otherwise, if the concentration is too high, it will corrode your skin.

High concentration solutions of potassium permanganate are irritating and corrosive to tissues; a 4% solution can be used to disinfect feeding troughs and other utensils. Its oxidizing properties can be used to accelerate the evaporation of formalin and can be used for air disinfection. It is a common disinfectant that is essential for households.

It has strong oxidizing properties and strong bactericidal ability. Can be used to disinfect bathing utensils and spittoons.

Can be used to disinfect bath utensils and spittoons

2. Purple solution (about 0.05% concentration)

It has the effects of relieving itching, reducing inflammation and preventing the spread of infection, and can be used for soaking tinea pedis.

3. Rose red solution (about 0.01% concentration)

Disinfect fruits, vegetables and tableware. To disinfect instruments, soak them in 1:1000 potassium permanganate powder for 15 minutes and then rinse them with running water. When fruits and vegetables are contaminated by bacteria, they can be sterilized by soaking them in a solution of this concentration for 5 minutes without changing their color and taste. In medical treatment, this concentration of solution can be used to soak mucous membranes, such as hemorrhoids. It has the effects of preventing infection, relieving itching and relieving pain.

4. Light cherry red solution (about 0.002% concentration)

It can be used to gargle, prevent oral inflammation and tooth decay, has deodorizing and anti-inflammatory effects, and helps reduce the unpleasant odor of underarm odor. It can also be used as an antidote. After drinking a solution of this concentration, press the throat with your fingers to induce vomiting, thereby spitting out the unabsorbed drugs or poisons, and allowing the drugs or poisons remaining in the stomach to be oxidized by potassium permanganate and become ineffective.

A 0.01% potassium permanganate aqueous solution can be used for vaginal washing; a 0.02% aqueous solution can be used for sitting baths to treat excessive leucorrhea; during the honeymoon, using a 0.05% aqueous solution to clean the vulva can prevent urinary tract infections. The incidence of hemorrhoids in women is relatively high. Soaking in a basin with 0.1% aqueous solution can relieve itching and pain, prevent infection, and promote the reduction of prolapsed hemorrhoids.