Permanganate: A green and versatile industrial oxidant

The use of permanganate as an effective oxidant in organic chemistry has a long and extensive history. Industrial applications have recently become mo re attractive environmentally by the introduction of a process for recyclin g manganese dioxide, a coproduct of these reactions. This recycling approac h has reduced the environmental impact of permanganate technology and made it sustainable as defined by the Brundtland Commission. Several current and potential industrial applications of permanganate oxidations are discussed along with a description of some emerging technologies.