Valency Of Permanganate

The valency of permanganate refers to the charge that the permanganate ion (MnO4-) carries when it forms a compound or participates in a chemical reaction.

The permanganate ion has a total charge of -1, which is the sum of the charges of its constituent atoms: manganese (Mn) and oxygen (O). Manganese has a variable valency, meaning it can have different oxidation states in different compounds or reactions, but in the permanganate ion, its valency is +7, indicated by the Roman numeral VII.

To determine the valency of permanganate, we need to consider the number of electrons that manganese has donated or accepted in order to achieve this valency. In the case of permanganate, each manganese atom has lost seven electrons to oxygen, which has gained two electrons from each of the four oxygen atoms in the ion. This results in an overall charge of -1 for the ion, since each electron has a negative charge.

The valency of permanganate is important in many chemical reactions, particularly those involving oxidation and reduction. For example, in acidic conditions, permanganate can be reduced to form manganese(II) ions (Mn2+), while in basic conditions, it can react with hydroxide ions (OH-) to produce manganese dioxide (MnO2) and water (H2O). The valency of permanganate also influences its reactivity and stability, as well as its use in various applications such as disinfection, water treatment, and organic synthesis.