Autocatalysis. Demonstration of autocatalysis using ethanedioate and manganate(VII) ions. Autocatalysis occurs when reaction products catalyse the rea

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Autocatalysis. Demonstration of autocatalysis using ethanedioate and manganate(VII) ions. Autocatalysis occurs when reaction products catalyse the reaction itself. In this case, a solution of potassium permanganate (purple) is added to a solution of ethanedioic acid (oxalic acid, colourless). One of the products, the manganese(II) ion, further catalyses the reaction, liberating large quantities of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases.

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Photo credit: © JERRY MASON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: acid, autocatalysis, catalysis, catalyst, chemical, chemistry, ethanedioate, ethanedioic, experiment, gas, ions, manganate, oxalic, permanganate, potassium, reaction, vii