- The KMnO4 standardization experiment is a redox titration procedure for standardization of potassium permanganate where potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is the titrant and oxalic acid is the analyte.
- Also, KMnO4 is the oxidizing agent and oxalic acid is the reducing agent.
- The reaction between KMnO4 and oxalic acid is carried out in an acidic medium because the permanganate ion in the acidic medium is a very strong oxidizing agent.
- Acidity is introduced by adding dil. H2SO4.
- No indicators are used to determine the endpoint because KMnO4 is a self-indicator. In standardization of potassium permanganate process KMnO4 self indicator is used.
- Permanganate (MnO4-) ion has a dark purple color. In an acidic medium, MnO4- is reduced to colorless manganous (Mn2+) ions.
- On reaching the endpoint, the addition of the last single drop of permanganate imparts a light purple color to the solution.