Barium Permanganate

Barium permanganate is a chemical compound with the formula Ba(MnO4)2. It is an inorganic salt that is composed of barium cations (Ba2+) and permanganate anions (MnO4-).

Barium permanganate is a dark purple crystalline solid that is soluble in water. It has a tetragonal crystal structure and belongs to the space group I41/a.

Barium permanganate can be prepared by reacting potassium permanganate (KMnO4) with barium chloride (BaCl2) in water. The reaction produces insoluble barium sulfate (BaSO4) and soluble barium permanganate:

2 KMnO4 + BaCl2 → Ba(MnO4)2 + 2 KCl + BaSO4

Barium permanganate is a powerful oxidizing agent, which means it can donate oxygen atoms or accept electrons from other substances in chemical reactions. It is commonly used in organic synthesis as a reagent for oxidation reactions, particularly for converting alcohols to ketones or aldehydes.

However, barium permanganate is not commonly used in industry due to its high cost and low stability. It is also a strong oxidizing agent and can react violently with organic materials or reducing agents, making it potentially dangerous to handle.

In addition, barium permanganate is used as a disinfectant and bactericide in water treatment facilities. It can break down harmful organic pollutants, such as phenols or cyanides, and destroy bacteria and other microorganisms. However, it must be handled and disposed of carefully due to its potential toxicity and environmental impact.