Barium permanganate

Chemical Properties

Barium permananganate is a brownish-violet, dark purple to black crystalline solid.

Uses

As dry cell depolarizer.

General Description

A purplish colored crystalline solid. Noncombustible, but accelerates burning of combustible material. Finely divided combustible materials may be explosive. May spontaneously ignite on contact with combustible liquids. Contact with sulfuric acid may result in fires or explosions. Used as a disinfectant and to make other permanganates.

Air & Water Reactions

Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Acetic acid or acetic anhydride can explode with permanganates, such as Barium permanganate, if not kept cold [Von Schwartz 1918 p 34 ]. Explosions can occur when permanganates that have been treated with sulfuric acid come in contact with benzene, carbon disulfide, diethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, petroleum, or organic matter.

Hazard

Oxidizing material. Fire and explosion risk in contact with organic materials. Toxic by ingestion.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with eyes or skin causes irritation. Ingestion causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, pallor, shortness of breath.

Fire Hazard

Behavior in Fire: Can increase the intensity of fire.

Safety Profile

Probably an irritant. A powerful oxidizer. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also BARIUM COMPOUNDS.

Synthesis

A solution of 100 g. of KMnO4 and 100 g. of Ba(NO3)2 in 1.5 liters of boiling water is prepared and treated with 20 g. of Ba(OH)2?8 H2O. The solution is heated on a water bath with frequent agitation until the evolution of O2 largely ceases, whereupon another 20 g. of Ba(OH)3?8H3O is added and the water lost by evaporation replaced. The procedure is continued until the liquid becomes colorless. When the sparingly soluble BaMnO4 settles out (together with some MnO2 and BaCO3), the liquid is decanted, the precipitate washed repeatedly with several liters of boiling water, boiled with a dilute solution of Ba(OH)3, and rewashed thoroughly with boiling water. The precipitate is then suspended in 1 liter of water and completely decomposed by introducing simultaneously CO2 and super-heated steam. This takes a few hours. The solution is left to settle; the liquor is suction-filtered through glass and concentrated until the almost black crystals appear upon cooling. The yield is 65-80 g. (80 to 100% of theory).

Potential Exposure

It is used to make dry cells and other permanganates, and as a disinfectant.

Shipping

UN1448 Barium permanganate, Hazard Class: 5.1; Labels: 5.1—Oxidizer, 6.1—Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

A strong oxidizer. May be explosive on contact with combustible and finely divided materials/ metals. Keep away from sulfuric acid; possibly explosive. Explosions can occur when permanganates that have been treated with sulfuric acid come in contact with benzene, carbon disulfide, diethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, petroleum, or organic matter. Contact with acetic acid or acetic anhydride can cause explosion. if not kept cold . Incompatible with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and organic or combustible materials (such as wood, paper, oil, and fuels), since violent reactions can occur. When mixed with combustible materials, this material can ignite by friction or acids; may be spontaneously combustible.

Waste Disposal

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number N450, must conform with USEP A regulations for storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste. Dispose of waste material as hazardous waste using a licensed disposal contractor to an approved landfill. Dispose of contents and container to an approved waste disposal plant. Containers must be disposed of properly by following package label directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed. Do not discharge into drains or sewers.

Raw materials

Preparation Products