Potassium permanganate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula KMnO4. It is a purplish-black crystalline salt, which dissolves in water as K+ and MnO4− ions to give an intensely pink to purple solution. Potassium permanganate is widely used in the chemical industry and laboratories as a strong oxidizing agent, and also traditionally as a medication for dermatitis, for cleaning wounds, and general disinfection. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It has a great variety of niche uses such as biocide for water treatment purposes and for tanning and dyeing cloth. In 2025, global potassium permanganate market reached 360,100 metric tons. It is also referred to as chameleon mineral, Condy's crystals, permanganate of potash, hypermangan, purple potion powder, permanganic acid (potassium salt), and purple salt.
Properties Potassium permanganate is the potassium salt of the tetrahedral transition metal oxo complex permanganate, in which four O2− ligands are bound to a manganese(VII) center. Potassium permanganate is odorless and slightly sweet and astringent in taste. It is soluble in water, sulfuric acid, acetic anhydride, and benzonitrile, but dissolves best in methanol and acetone.
Structure KMnO4 forms orthorhombic crystals with constants: a = 910.5 pm, b = 572.0 pm, c = 742.5 pm. The overall motif is similar to that for barium sulfate, with which it forms solid solutions. In the solid (as in solution), each MnO4− centre is tetrahedral. The Mn–O distances are 1.62 Å.
Color The purplish-black color of solid potassium permanganate, and the intensely pink to purple color of its solutions, is caused by its permanganate anion, which gets its color from a strong charge-transfer absorption band caused by excitation of electrons from oxo ligand orbitals to empty orbitals of the manganese(VII) center. The crystal form can range from purple to black or gray, and has a blue metallic sheen.
Medical uses
Mechanism of action Potassium permanganate functions as a strong oxidizing agent. Through this mechanism it results in disinfection, astringency, and reduced odors.
Clinical use Potassium permanganate is no longer the preferred treatment for dermatological conditions and no form of it is labeled for human use by the US Food and Drug Administration. It should never be taken internally, because it is highly toxic and corrosive to mucous membranes and skin.
Potassium Permanganate, U.S.P., has a limited topical efficacy against bacteria and fungi. Concentrations of 1:5000 or more are necessary for an effective bactericidal action, but they are irritating to tissues. Consequently, solutions of 1: 10,000 are usually used. However, up to an hour may be required to kill many bacteria, and some strains survive exposure to this concentration. For this reason, permanganate has been made obsolete by much superior antiseptic and antifungal drugs. Traditionally potassium permanganate was prescribed for a number of skin conditions, including fungal infections of the foot, impetigo, pemphigus, superficial wounds, dermatitis, and topical ulcers. Radioactive contamination of the skin could be cleaned with potassium permanganate and vigorous scrubbing. For topical ulcers it was used together with procaine benzylpenicillin. Typically it was used in skin conditions that produce a lot of liquid. It could be applied as a soaked dressing or a bath. Petroleum jelly may be used on the nails before soaking to prevent their discoloration. For treating eczema, it was recommended using for only a few days at a time due to irritating the skin. The US Food and Drug Administration does not recommend its use in the crystal or tablet form. It should only be used in a diluted liquid form.
Historical use Potassium permanganate was first made in the 1600s and came into common medical use at least as early as the 1800s. During World War I Canadian soldiers were given potassium permanganate (to be applied mixed with an ointment) in an effort to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Some have attempted to bring about an abortion by putting it in the vagina, though this is not effective. Other historical uses have included an effort to wash out the stomach in those with strychnine or picrotoxin poisoning.
Side effects Side effects from topical use include irritation of the skin and discoloration of clothing. A harsh burn on a child from an undissolved tablet has been reported. Higher concentration solutions can result in chemical burns. Therefore, in 2015 the British National Formulary recommended 100 mg be dissolved in a liter of water before use to form a 1:10,000 (0.01%) solution. Wrapping the dressings soaked with potassium permanganate is not recommended.
Toxicology Potassium permanganate is toxic if taken by mouth. Concentrated solutions when drunk have resulted in acute respiratory distress syndrome or swelling of the airway. Effects may include nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. If a sufficiently large amount (about 10 grams) is eaten death may occur. Concentrated solutions of potassium permanganate and repeated exposure cause skin corrosion and dermatitis. Recommended measures for those who have ingested potassium permanganate include gastroscopy. Activated charcoal or medications to cause vomiting are not recommended. While medications like ranitidine and acetylcysteine may be used in toxicity, evidence for this use is poor.
Pharmaceuticals In the United States the FDA requires tablets of the medication to be sold by prescription. Potassium permanganate, however, does not have FDA approved uses and therefore non medical grade potassium permanganate is sometimes used for medical purposes. It is available under a number of brand names including Permasol, Koi Med Tricho-Ex, and Kalii permanganas RFF. It is occasionally called "Condy's crystals".
Veterinary medicine Potassium permanganate may be used to prevent the spread of glanders among horses.
Industrial and other uses Almost all applications of potassium permanganate exploit its oxidizing properties. As a strong oxidant that does not generate toxic byproducts, KMnO4 has many niche uses.
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