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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: pcm81 on November 10, 2018, 09:00:40 PM

Title: KMnO4 vs Iodine
Post by: pcm81 on November 10, 2018, 09:00:40 PM

When I was a kid it was pretty common to use 5% iodine solution to disinfect wounds and even treat inflammation by applying a "net" of iodine solution traces over the area.
KMnO4 is often used as disinfecting agent in a dilute solution.

My question is: what is a practical difference between them? Why choose one vs the other?

Looks like iodine is a reducing agent, while KMnO4 an oxidizing agent. Would ascorbic acid work similarly to iodine on biological matter?

Title: Re: KMnO4 vs Iodine
Post by: Borek on November 11, 2018, 03:29:26 AM

Iodine is an oxidizing agent.

Practical differences involve solution stability (iodine being much more stable, permanganate will slowly decompose) and ease of removing stains from clothing (if memory serves me well permanganate stains are more permanent).

Title: Re: KMnO4 vs Iodine
Post by: pcm81 on November 11, 2018, 12:56:17 PM

Quote from: Borek on November 11, 2018, 03:29:26 AM

Iodine is an oxidizing agent.

Practical differences involve solution stability (iodine being much more stable, permanganate will slowly decompose) and ease of removing stains from clothing (if memory serves me well permanganate stains are more permanent).

Thank you