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Topic: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?  (Read 4751 times)

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Offline pcm81

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KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« on: July 19, 2018, 10:43:50 PM »
So, I accidentally got a small stain from dilute KMnO4 solution on my finger. It cleaned up very easily with a dilute solution of oxalic acid. But this got me thinking: are there "better / safer" options for clean-up of KMnO4 stains than Oxalic acid for a home chemist? Totally agree that the best option would be, to be much more careful with solution of KMnO4, and others, to not have stains in the first place. However in "real" world where stains happen, should I use something other than oxalic?

Thanks ahead
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Offline chenbeier

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2018, 07:03:24 AM »
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid. Simple take lemon and clean your finger with it.
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Offline pcm81

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2018, 05:04:11 PM »
Quote from: chenbeier on July 22, 2018, 07:03:24 AM
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid. Simple take lemon and clean your finger with it.

How about sodium percarbonate?
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Offline Borek

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2018, 02:12:59 AM »
Quote from: pcm81 on July 22, 2018, 05:04:11 PM
How about sodium percarbonate?

You need to reduce permanganate, not to oxidize it.
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Offline chenbeier

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2018, 04:28:50 AM »
Additionally percarbonate is alcaline and guides only to MnO2  . Peroxides in some circumstances can work as reducer as well. But here it will not work.
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Offline pcm81

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2018, 10:54:30 AM »
Quote from: Borek on July 23, 2018, 02:12:59 AM
Quote from: pcm81 on July 22, 2018, 05:04:11 PM
How about sodium percarbonate?

You need to reduce permanganate, not to oxidize it.
I see videos on YouTube of KMnO4 being neutralized by H2O2. I thought sodium percarbonate is an H2O2 donor when reacted with water...
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Offline Borek

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2018, 11:13:08 AM »
Yep, in very low pH H2O2 can reduce permanganate, but typical reducing agents are much better for that and will work with much safer acids.
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Offline pcm81

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2018, 01:48:15 PM »
Quote from: Borek on July 23, 2018, 11:13:08 AM
Yep, in very low pH H2O2 can reduce permanganate, but typical reducing agents are much better for that and will work with much safer acids.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll stick with oxalic acid for now. Not looking for home remedies like lemons, or similar, interested in reproducible, reliable and safe method.
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Offline OrganicDan96

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2018, 05:04:23 PM »
Quote from: pcm81 on July 23, 2018, 01:48:15 PM
Not looking for home remedies like lemons, or similar, interested in reproducible, reliable and safe method.

why not just buy some ascorbic acid?

I would strongly recommend avoiding oxalic acid as it is just too toxic
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Offline pcm81

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Re: KMnO4 stain clean-up - anything safer than oxalic?
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2018, 07:20:24 PM »
Quote from: OrganicDan96 on July 23, 2018, 05:04:23 PM
Quote from: pcm81 on July 23, 2018, 01:48:15 PM
Not looking for home remedies like lemons, or similar, interested in reproducible, reliable and safe method.

why not just buy some ascorbic acid?

I would strongly recommend avoiding oxalic acid as it is just too toxic

I'll give ascorbic acid a try. A bit more pricey than oxalic, but for this unique use quite reasonable.
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