A permanganate is the general name for a chemical compound containing the manganate(VII)ion, (MnO4−). Because manganese is in the +7 oxidation state, the manganate(VII) ion is a strong oxidizer.
In an acidic solution, manganate(VII) is reduced to the colourless +2 oxidation state of the Manganese(II) (Mn2+) ion.
Manganates(VII) are salts of permanganic acid. Manganate(VII) is a strong oxidizer, and similar to perchlorate. It is therefore in common use in qualitative analysis that involves redox reactions(permanganometry).Besides this, it is stable.
It is a useful reagent, though with organic compounds, it may just destroy them entirely.
Manganates(VII) are not very thermically stable. For instance, potassium permanganate decomposes at 230 °C: