Shipping note: When Potassium Permanganate and Glycerin are ordered together, they will need to ship in separate containers and thus incur separate shipping charges.
Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizer and can burn skin and eyes. It will stain brown everything it touches. Always use safety protective gear including rubber gloves and goggles. Shipping is restricted to inside the USA via UPS Ground only. No air deliveries allowed.
Used in our following patina formulas:
Used in growing crystals:
Potassium permanganate readily forms dark purple, rhombic crystals. Read our article, "Growing Large Crystals with Seed Crystals" for more information.
Potassium Permanganate + Glycerin = Fire
Potassium permanganate is often used in survival kits along with glycerin to make fire.
To perform fire-making experiment:
- Put approximately two heaping tablespoons potassium permanganate in a fire proof container or outdoor surface.
- Add several drops of glycerine to a depression in the top of the chemical.
Potassium permangante is a strong oxidizing agent and glycerine is easily oxidized. The "exothermic" reaction begins as the glycerine begins to boil and give off smoke. Eventually a flame will appear and spread over the potassium permanganate and all the glycerine will be consumed.