Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 05/12/2015 20:50:02

Title: If you add potassium permanganate to glycerin does it produce fire?
Post by: thedoc on 05/12/2015 20:50:02

Kankipet Rajni Kanth [MSRF.GD06]  asked the Naked Scientists:
   Potassium permanganate and glycerin combines produce fire but when i have done like that fire is not produce can you tell me what i have to do to form fire.

 
What do you think?

Title: Re: If you add potassium permanganate to glycerin does it produce fire?
Post by: evan_au on 05/12/2015 21:28:12

The Potassium permanganate should be a fine powder.
It should be in a ball, rather than spread out
Wrapping a ball of it tightly in paper is a good way to keep the heat in.

Note: Ensure that you do this experiment in a non-flammable environment.

Title: Re: If you add potassium permanganate to glycerin does it produce fire?
Post by: chiralSPO on 05/12/2015 21:43:27

I second what Evan said. Also, you should be sure to use dry glycerine. Glycerine is extremely hydroscopic, and will pull moisture out of the air. An old bottle could be as much as 50% water if it was sealed poorly, especially if you live in a humid region. I once found an old bottle of glycerine that had absorbed so much water it was overflowing, and making a real mess!

Title: Re: If you add potassium permanganate to glycerin does it produce fire?
Post by: chiralSPO on 05/12/2015 21:49:25

Oh, also, once you have made a pile of say 1/2 teaspoon of KMnO₄ powder, add only a few drops of glycerine into the middle of the pile. Adding too much glycerine will increase the heat capacity of the system, and your reaction mixture will only get the glycerine warm.

Title: Re: If you add potassium permanganate to glycerin does it produce fire?
Post by: Bored chemist on 05/12/2015 21:59:02

The smoke and fumes from this reaction are pretty nasty too. Only do it outside.