I would like to ask about some issues encountered when refining the alcohol used in perfumes
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There are some issues that arise during the refinement of the alcohol used in perfumes; I’m not sure about them and would like to ask for advice from those with more experience. The alcohol used in perfumes must be refined. The process involves: 1) adding 0.02%-0.05% potassium permanganate to ethanol, stirring vigorously while introducing air bubbles; if brown manganese dioxide precipitates forms, it is separated by filtration and set aside, after which the mixture is distilled for further use. What is the purpose of adding potassium permanganate at this step, and what impurities are removed during this process? 2. Add 1–2 drops of 30% hydrogen peroxide per liter of ethanol, and store it at 25–30 degrees for several days. What is the purpose of adding hydrogen peroxide in this step? 3. Add 1% activated carbon to ethanol, stir several times a day, and let it sit for several days. What’s the use of activated carbon here? I hope the seniors will kindly share their advice. Thank you. .
Adding potassium permanganate takes advantage of its strong oxidizing property to remove impurities； Hydrogen peroxide has oxidizing and reducing properties; it can be used for removing impurities and sterilizing. Over time, it decomposes on its own to produce harmless water and oxygen ； Activated carbon is used to remove impurities based on its adsorption properties.
Thank you to the moderator; the explanation regarding hydrogen peroxide was excellent, and I now understand it. But with potassium permanganate, its oxidizing power is very strong; however, it is used to oxidize certain substances. I don’t really understand activated carbon either.
Potassium permanganate oxidizes acetaldehyde: 2KMnO4 + 3CH3CHO + NaOH → 2CH3COOK + CH3COONa + 2MnO2↓ + 2H2O. Activated carbon is a universal adsorbent for removing impurities from alcohol