Oxidizing Select Compounds with Sodium and Potassium Permanganate

Permanganate is an oxidizing agent with an affinity for oxidizing organic compounds containing carbon-carbon double bonds, aldehyde groups or hydroxyl groups. Permanganate oxidation is generally performed using one of two commercially available products:

• Potassium permanganate
• Sodium permanganate

The permanganate anion is useful for oxidation of a select number of compounds including chlorinated ethenes and some aromatics and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

Advantages of using permanganate over other oxidants include the longevity of the permanganate ion in the subsurface (up to a year or longer at some sites), easier handling, as well as potential cost savings. Disadvantages include a lower oxidation strength (1.7 volts), higher SOD, and its limited use on select compounds.