Potassium Permanganate

potassium permanganate

[pə′tas·ē·əm pər′man·gə‚nāt] (inorganic chemistry) KMnO₄ Highly oxidative, water-soluble, purple crystals with sweet taste; decomposes at 240°C; and explodes in contact with oxidizable materials; used as a disinfectant and analytical reagent, in dyes, bleaches, and medicines, and as a chemical intermediate. Also known as purple salt.

Potassium Permanganate

KMnO₄, a salt; dark violet crystals. Density, 2.703 g/cm³. Soluble in water (6.4 g per 100 g H₂0 at 20°C and 22.2 g at 60°C; solutions are red-violet in color), and also in methanol, acetic acid, and acetone. Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent; an explosion may occur when KMnO₄ is mixed with concentrated H2SO4, as well as with certain organic substances, such as glycerol. Potassium permanganate is obtained by fusing pyrolusite, MnO₂, with KOH and subsequent electrolytic oxidation of the resultant K₂MnO4. (For information on the use of KMnO₄, see PERMANGANATES.)

potassium permanganate

potassium

(K) [po-tas´e-um] a chemical element, atomic number 19, atomic weight 39.102. (See Appendix 6.) In combination with other minerals in the body, potassium forms alkaline salts that are important in body processes and play an essential role in maintenance of the acid-base and water balance in the body. All body cells, especially muscle tissue, require a high content of potassium. A proper balance between sodium, calcium, and potassium in the blood plasma is necessary for proper cardiac function.
Since most foods contain a good supply of potassium, potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) is unlikely to be caused by an unbalanced diet. Possible causes include cushing's syndrome (due to an adrenal gland disorder) and fanconi's syndrome (the result of a congenital kidney defect). The cause could also be an excessive dose of cortisone, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, or thiazide diuretics, which are administered for treatment of hypertension. Signs of potassium deficiency can include weakness and lethargy, rapid pulse, nausea, diarrhea, and tingling sensations.
If the body absorbs enough potassium but the element is not distributed properly, various disorders may develop. Thus an abnormally low content of potassium in the blood may result in an intermittent temporary paralysis of the muscles, known as paralysis" >familial periodic paralysis.
Potassium deficiency can be treated by administration of potassium supplements. There is a large variety of these preparations. Some are liquids, some are powders to be dissolved in liquids, and some are slow-release tablets that dissolve in the intestine. All can cause gastrointestinal irritation. For many persons on diuretic therapy for hypertension, potassium deficiency can be avoided by increasing their consumption of potassium-containing foods, such as bananas, dates, prunes, and raisins, and potassium supplements are not needed. Potassium supplements are never given to patients receiving potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene. If the difficulty lies in the body's use of potassium, treatment is concerned with the primary cause of the deficiency.

Homeostatic balance of potassium. Through the functions of resorption and excretion, the kidneys are the best regulator of potassium balance in the extracellular fluids. From Malarkey and McMorrow, 2000.potassium acetate an electrolyte replenisher and systemic and urinary alkalizer.potassium bicarbonate an electrolyte replenisher, antacid, and urinary alkalizer.potassium bitartrate a compound administered rectally as a suppository with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide, which promotes defecation by distending the rectal ampulla; administered for relief of constipation, and evacuation of the colon before surgical or diagnostic procedures or childbirth.potassium chloride a compound used orally or intravenously as an electrolyte replenisher.potassium citrate a systemic and urinary alkalizer, electrolyte replenisher, and diuretic.dibasic potassium phosphate the dipotassium salt, K₂HPO₄; used alone or in combination with other phosphate compounds as an electrolyte replenisher.potassium gluconate an electrolyte replenisher used in the prophylaxis and treatment of hypokalemia.potassium guaiacolsulfonate an expectorant.potassium iodide an expectorant, antithyroid agent, and antifungal.monobasic potassium phosphate the monopotassium salt, KH₂PO₄; used as a buffering agent in pharmaceutical preparations and, alone or in combination with other phosphate compounds, as an electrolyte replenisher and urinary acidifier and for prevention of kidney stones.potassium permanganate a topical antiinfective and oxidizing agent, and an antidote for many poisons.potassium phosphate a compound combining potassium and phosphoric acid, usually dibasic potassium phosphate.potassium sodium tartrate a compound used as a saline cathartic.