The analysis of combustion products : The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the reaction of potassium permanganate with organic peroxides in acid solution

Abstract

Although methyl and ethyl hydroperoxides alone do not react with potassium permanganate in acid solution at room temperature, they can be oxidised by this reagent in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The apparent equivalents (as compared with hydrogen peroxide) are much lower than usual but, in the presence of excess hydrogen peroxide, the titre due to the organic peroxide is proportional to its original concentration. This forms the basis of a simple titration method which, though empirical, is both rapid and accurate. Since t-butyl hydroperoxide does not react in this way, it may be possible to differentiate the higher peroxides from lower peroxides.