Lab report N° 5

Name: Raquel Pérez

Date: 23-05-2024

Course: 1ro BGC “B”

Topic: Chameleon reaction

Introduction

The "chameleon reaction" in chemistry is a demonstration that shows a noticeable color

change in a solution, mimicking a chameleon's ability to change color. This type of reaction is

frequently used in educational demonstrations and experiments to illustrate the principles of

redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions and changes in the oxidation states of certain

compounds.

A redox reaction is a type of chemical reaction in which an electron transfer occurs between

two species. In these reactions, one substance is oxidized (gains oxygen and loses hydrogen)

and another is reduced (loses oxygen and gains hydrogen). This process is characterized by

changes in the oxidation states of the elements involved (Ruiz, n.d.).

General Objective

Investigate and demonstrate the principles of redox reactions by observing color changes in a

solution of potassium permanganate.

Specific Objective

Analyze and describe the color changes that occur in potassium permanganate solution.

Explain the mechanism of the redox reaction involved in the chameleon reaction experiment.

Lab Materials and equipment:

● Test tube

● Spatula

● Spoon
 ● Beaker

● Stirring rod

Reagents:

● Potassium permanganate (KMnO4)

● Distil water (H₂O)

● Sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁)

● Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Experimental procedure:

1. Wash and dry the materials (test tube, spatula, spoon, stirring rod).

2. Make a mildly colored potassium permanganate solution by mixing it with a little

water.

3. Pour the solution into the test tube, and add a solution of sodium hydroxide.

4. Add sugar into the test tube with the mixtures, and remove little with the stirring rod.

5. Observe and take notes of the kinetics of the reaction between the potassium

permanganate, the sodium hydroxide and sugar.

Results:

By adding a little potassium permanganate to a little distilled water in the test tube, the color

change of the potassium permanganate could be observed, changing from a dark black color

to a strong violet color; the more it was stirred, with the help of the stirring rod, the color of

the solution turned to a deep magenta color. After that, we adding a little sodium hydroxide

into the solution, and with the stirring rod we mix the solution to observe the changes that are

caused; while the solution was carefully stirred with the sodium hydroxide, the change

became visible, going from a magenta color to a strong green color, and as it was mixed with

the stirring rod, it became clearer.

became lighter, it went from having a strong orange color to a yellowish color, and then it

changed to a very light brown tone.

Below is a table with the results given:

Table N° 1

Potassium permanganate Sodium hydroxide Sugar

Strong violet color. Change to dark green. Dark orange color.

After stirring it turns deep Shaking makes the color Mixing it becomes more and

magenta. lighter and lighter. more clear.

Lighter Magenta. It turns a light green color. It reaches a strong yellowish

color, a light brown color.

Produced by: Raquel Pérez

Discussion:

In the laboratory report of Fuentes, Gonzales, et al. (2023), it is analyzed that the authors

first place the distilled water in the reducing solution of sugar and sodium hydroxide and then

place the potassium permanganate, this causes that the solution turns violet, due to the

potassium permanganate in the +7 oxidation state. As it is mixed with the sodium hydroxide

and sugar solution, the color changes to green (oxidation state +6). Finally, the solution turns

brown due to potassium permanganate in the +4 oxidation state.

We can observe that the redox reaction has occurred, and it is the same as that which occurs

in the experiment presented, this because their oxidation states are the same, evidence of this

being the change of colors in the solutions. of both experiments (Fuentes, Gonzales, et al.,

2023).
Conclusions:

Redox reactions are chemical processes where a transfer of electrons occurs between two

substances. In this type of reaction, oxidation involves the loss of electrons, while reduction

involves the gain of electrons. These reactions are essential in chemistry, since they enable

the conversion of energy and matter in various processes. An oxidizing agent is a substance

that accepts electrons, while a reducing agent is a substance that gives up electrons. For

example, oxygen and chlorine are common examples of oxidizing agents, while hydrogen

and various metals act as reducing agents (Ibero, n.d.).

Potassium permanganate salt that dissolves in water to form a deep purple solution. However,

when subjected to redox reactions, it undergoes noticeable color changes:

Reduction: In the presence of reducing agents, potassium permanganate is reduced, losing

oxygen and electrons. The purple color gradually fades as potassium manganate is formed,

which is green in color.

Oxidation: If the reaction is continued, potassium manganate can also be oxidized to

manganese dioxide (MnO₂), which is brown in color (Sucic, 2017).

The redox reaction in this experiment is due to the interaction between potassium

permanganate and a reducing agent, such as sugar, in an alkaline medium, usually provided

by sodium hydroxide. Potassium permanganate, under alkaline conditions, is a powerful

oxidizing agent that can oxidize sugar. During this reaction, potassium permanganate is

reduced to different oxidation states of manganese (Mn), leading to noticeable changes in the

color of the solution (Steemit, s. f.).

Graphics:

Graphic N°1
Produced by: Raquel Anahí Pérez Román

Graphic N°2

Produced by: Raquel Anahí Pérez Román

Graphic N°3
 Produced by: Raquel Anahí Pérez Román

References

Fuentes, Gonzales, et al. (2023, Aug 3). Química. Studocu. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from

[Link]

camaleon-en-este-informe-vamos-a-mostrar-como-al-mezclar-dossustancias-diferente

s/72076384

7. Reacciones Redox Zn2+. (n.d.). IBERO. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from

[Link]

Sucic, G. (2017, June 6). Gestión de residuos de permanganato de potasio generados en los

laboratorios de Docencia de la escuela de Química. SABER UCV. Retrieved May 23,

2024, from [Link]

TEMA VII. REACCIONES DE TRANSFERENCIA DE ELECTRONES: REACCIONES

OXIDACIÓN-REDUCCIÓN (REDOX). (n.d.). [Link] Gijón. Retrieved May 23,

[Link]

Reacciones con Permanganato de Potasio. El Camaleón Químico. — Steemit. (s. f.). Steemit.

[Link]

tasio-el-camaleon-quimico#:~:text=Reacci%C3%B3n%20con%20sacarosa%20en%2

0medio,parte%20de%20la%20misma%20reacci%C3%B3n.