2 KMnO4 (aq) + 5 Zn (s) + 8 H2SO4 (aq) → 2 MnSO4 (aq) + 5 ZnSO4 (aq) + K2SO4 (aq) + 8 H2O (l)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

2 MnVII + 10 e- → 2 MnII (reduction)

5 Zn0 - 10 e- → 5 ZnII (oxidation)

KMnO4 is an oxidizing agent, Zn is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

  • KMnO4 – Potassium manganate(VII) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Potassium permanganate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Chameleon mineral source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Condy's crystals source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Purplish-bronze-gray needles | magenta–rose in solution source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Dark purple crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • Zn
    • Names: Zinc source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07, Zinc powder (pyrophoric) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Zn source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Grey-to-blue powder source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • H2SO4 – Sulfuric acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Oil of vitriol source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Sulfuric acid, concentrated (> 51% and < 100%) source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, H2SO4 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-07
    • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Odourless colourless oily hygroscopic liquid source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51°F. Often used in an aqueous solution.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • MnSO4 – Manganese(II) sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: MnSO4 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Manganese sulfate anhydrous source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Manganese sulphate source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White crystals (anhydrous) | pale pink solid (hydrates) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
  • ZnSO4 – Zinc sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Other names: White vitriol source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Goslarite source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Zinc sulfate (1:1) source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: White powder source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless hygroscopic crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • K2SO4
    • Names: Potassium sulfate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Potassium sulphate source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02, Dipotassium sulfate source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
    • Appearance: White solid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless-to-white crystals source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • H2O – Water, oxidane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: Water (H2O) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen oxide source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27