Why does KMnO4 become green when added to n-hexane?
Earlier, we had an experiment to test if a compound is saturated or not. We did this by adding potassium permanganate to each of our samples(n-hexane, cyclohexane,toluene, and acetylene). Ideally, if the compound is unsaturated, the purple color of KMnO4 should turn into brown since the reaction yields a diol and MnO2. But, I am puzzled as to why the purple potassium permanaganate became green when it was added to hexane, cyclohexane, and toluene. Shouldn't the color just stay the same since it doesn't react with these compounds? If it does react, then why? Thanks
