Eye Candy
In a variation of what is sometimes referred to as the chameleon reaction, you can use a lollipop to reduce manganate(VII) through a range of colorful oxidation states. It’s a highly engaging, colorful reaction for students to enjoy. It’s also a good introduction to self-indicating redox titrations, and you can produce different effects by slightly altering it. Add in a candy cane, and it works well as a festive practical treat too.
