Potassium permanganate is an
inorganic chemical compound with the
chemical formula KMnO
4. It is a
salt consisting of
K+ and ions. Formerly known as
permanganate of potash or
Condy's crystals, it is a strong
oxidizing agent. It dissolves in water to give intensely pink or purple solutions, the evaporation of which leaves prismatic purplish-black glistening crystals. In 2000, worldwide production was estimated at 30,000 tonnes. In this compound,
manganese is in the +7
oxidation state.