Will methylated spirit dissolve iodine? Will it dissolve sodium chloride or potassium permanganate?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 25, 2016

For methylated spirit, you mean ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol will certainly dissolve iodine. Sodium chloride will have limited solubility. Potassium permanganate MIGHT react with the alcohol.

Explanation:

Methylated spirit is ethyl alcohol with a bit of phenol/methanol/benzene added to make it undrinkable.

Sodium chloride will have very limited solubility in ethyl alcohol. Iodine will have some solubility. #KMnO_4# will probably (possibly) react with the ethyl alcohol (how?); it certainly would if the mixture were acidified - this is the basis of a quite spectacular experiment. Ask your lecturer to perform it.

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