Potassium Permanganate crystals?

[nigeltm]

OK, so I've found a chemist that sells potassium permanaganate. £1.15 for a 25g jar, not too bad!

But, it's more powder than crystal. How big should a crystal be?

I could grow some larger crystals from the powder and break them down to the right size, but what is the right size?

Also, how may crystals sterlise a litre of water and how much for an antiseptic wash?

Thanks in advance.

Rob - I picked up a spare jar if you want one. In my desk in Nelson.

 

[Forest fella]

acouple of crystals for a litre,just so it's a very light pink,And for a antiseptic you want it very pink Bordering on purple

 

[mariobab]

I have many of potassium permanganate,and it is from almost dust to sea salt crystal.and I think the size doesn't matter.As for water sterilization,I think that the colour is what determines amount,not weight.Light pink,if I remember well.I use for washing feet after being dump for prolonged time.Deep purple I make it.

 

[spamel]

Although, to be fair, I'd rather boil than use any chemical to purify my water.

 

[Ahjno]

Although, to be fair, I'd rather boil than use any chemical to purify my water.

Fully agree with that!

Also from a chemical point of view: the finer the chrystals are, the easier they dissolve in the water.

 

[nigeltm]

Thanks for the help guys.

I had a play over the weekend and managed not to poison myself. So I guess the mix was about right! I was surprised how little you need! I think this jar will last a while.

Ahjno - you were spot on about the size of the crystals. The powdery crystals dissolved in seconds. While the larger ones took bl**dy ages!

 

[Bumpy]

Hi
I like to have access to potassium permanganate for fire making (with sugar), emergency water purification and mostly for soaking my feet when I have had fungal infection problems (urggghhh!). I tried to buy some recently (in about 15 different chemists - different chains/independents/different parts of the country etc)
No-one has had any to sell me, and some have looked in horror at me and ask why I want it. They then inform me that they no longer stock it... I have been informed by several of them that they are now not able to sell it because of possible terrorist use....
So... where did you manage to find it?
Cheers!

 

[Cairodel]

Just be aware that pertasium pomegranate is a poison that is absorbed through the skin..
So don't overdo it.....!?!
Check it out on the net.........

 

[maddave]

Another good use is for winter survival. Sprinkle a small amount on snow and you have a bright purple marker visible from the air. As Bumpy said though, It's becoming difficult to get in the UK because of possible terrorist implications. Load of rubbish in my mind as there are plenty of household chemicals available in most homes to make boom boom with and many of them are far more dangerous than PP, but who am I to comment I only specialised in the army .... Nanny knows best

 

[y0dsa]

It's also used for pond treatment and direct topical treatment for Koi carp. Hence its sold by pond/ koi suppliers. Try evilbay, currently e.g., 1kg for £25 (no connection etc).

 

[Ogri the trog]

From my recent search for it I can report as follows;
The crystal form is being replaced by a more predictable "pressed tablet" form of (supposedly) the same stuff - though it must go through some very expensive processing as I've been quoted up to £15 for a small pot of about the same volume that Nigeltm bought for £1.15. I have bought a similar pot for a simialr price that was just out of date, but another chemist who said they had "Loads that was out-of-date but they couldn't sell it to me "coz it was the rules!" Perhaps I'll suggest that they leave it somewhere accessable and I'll make it dissapear and give them a donation to their tea kitty!


ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[spamel]

Out of date PP! Not as if you're gonna eat it!



Did he use the phrase "More than me job's worth mate!" by any chance? That is, I think, where the term "a jobsworth" comes from, but I may be wrong!

 

[dragonferret]

Also another use is for fumagating when mixed with H2CO . The chemical reaction only takes a couple of seconds and is extremely deadly Works best with crystals

 

[tenderfoot]

What is h2co? is it found in any household form/product?

 

[Gray]

Pretty sure its only supposed to be used for medicinal purposes as far as sterilisation is concerned. I really dont think your supposed to drink it.I use it for fire lighting, works well in powder form when mixed with a little bit of Glycerin.
when mixed with water:
pink to sterilise
deep pink for antiseptic
full red for fungal diseases eg athletes foot.
Hope this helps

 

[tenderfoot]

Answer my own question what is h2co? - 'tis formaldehyde!
so... Any chemist out there to explain what you get when you mix it with potassium permanganate that would kill bugs (as in fumigating) isnt kmno4 a powerful oxidising agent? are we talking about doing this in air (contains nitrogen) if so is the product something very nasty like cyanide? (i never was much good at chemistry) if so would be very effective but inadvisable IMHO.