What is the Difference Between Potassium Permanganate and Potassium Dichromate?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main differences between potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate are:

  1. Color: Potassium permanganate is purple in color, while potassium dichromate is yellow or red-orange in color.
  2. Oxidizing Strength: Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent, whereas potassium dichromate is a moderately strong oxidizing agent.
  3. Solubility: Potassium permanganate is highly soluble in water, while potassium dichromate is insoluble in water.
  4. Chemical Formula: Potassium permanganate has the chemical formula KMnO4, while potassium dichromate has the chemical formula K2Cr2O7.
  5. Oxidation States: The manganese atom in potassium permanganate has a +7 oxidation state, while the chromium atom in potassium dichromate has a +6 oxidation state.
  6. Stability: Potassium permanganate is a stable compound, while potassium dichromate is less stable.
  7. Applications: Potassium permanganate is used as an oxidizing agent, disinfectant, and in various industrial processes. Potassium dichromate is used as a chromium supplement, in tanning, in the production of dyes and pigments, and as a corrosion inhibitor.

Comparative Table: Potassium Permanganate vs Potassium Dichromate

Here is a table comparing the differences between potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate:

Property Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) Potassium Dichromate (K2Cr2O7)
Color Dark Purple Red-Orange
Formula KMnO4 K2Cr2O7
Oxidation State Strong Oxidizing Agent Milder Oxidizing Agent
Medication Clean Wounds Not Used for Cleaning Wounds
Applications Water Treatment, Organic Synthesis, Medicine Cotton Dyeing, Image Processing, Corrosion Inhibitor

Key points:

  • Potassium permanganate has a dark purple color, while potassium dichromate has a red-orange color.
  • Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent, whereas potassium dichromate is a milder oxidizing agent.
  • Potassium permanganate is used in medicine to clean wounds, while potassium dichromate is not.
  • Potassium permanganate is used in water treatment, organic synthesis, and medicine, while potassium dichromate is used in cotton dyeing, image processing, and as a corrosion inhibitor.