Potassium permanganate, KMnO4
(permanganate ion, MnO4
-
)
• MnO4
-
(aq) + 8H+
(aq)+ 5e → Mn2+ (aq)+ 4H2O
Why do K not in involve in a reaction by giving away its electrons during chemical reaction ?
Potassium (K) does not typically give away its electrons in this reaction because it is acting as a spectator ion. In the reaction of potassium permanganate, it is the permanganate ion (MnO4-) that is undergoing the redox reaction, not the potassium ion.
The potassium ion (K+) is present in the reaction as a counter ion to balance out the negative charge of the permanganate ion. It does not participate in the redox reaction itself, but simply acts as a source of potassium in the reaction mixture.
Therefore, potassium remains unchanged in the reaction and does not give away its electrons. Its role is simply to provide the potassium ion in the permanganate compound.