5 CH2O (aq) + 2 KMnO4 (aq) + 3 H2SO4 (aq) → 5 HCOOH (aq) + 2 MnSO4 (aq) + K2SO4 (aq) + 3 H2O (l)
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
2 MnVII + 10 e- → 2 MnII (reduction)
5 C0 - 10 e- → 5 CII (oxidation)
KMnO4 is an oxidizing agent, CH2O is a reducing agent.
Reactants:
- CH2O – Formaldehyde , Methanal
- Other names: Methyl aldehyde , Methylene glycol , Methylene oxide
- Appearance: Colorless gas ; Colourless gas with pungent odour ; Colourless liquid with pungent odour ; Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution (see specific listing for Formalin).]
- KMnO4 – Potassium manganate(VII)
- H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid
Products:
- HCOOH – Formic acid , Methanoic acid
- Other names: Carbonous acid; Formylic acid; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Hydroxy(oxo)methane; Metacarbonoic acid; Oxocarbinic acid; Oxomethanol , Hydrogen carboxylic acid , Aminic acid
- Appearance: Colorless fuming liquid ; Colourless fuming liquid with pungent odour ; Colorless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor. [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution.]
- MnSO4 – Manganese(II) sulfate
- K2SO4
- H2O – Water, oxidane