When KMnO4 solution is added to oxalic acid solution, the decolourisation is slow in the beginning but becomes instantaneous after some time because

The following reaction takes place:


5C2O42– + 2MnO4 + 16H+ 2Mn2+ + 8H2O + 10CO2


Here, KMnO4 is a reactant in the reaction which forms Mn2+ which acts as an auto-catalyst. The reaction is slow initially because MnO4- is getting converted to Mn2+ but once Mn2+ forms, the reaction becomes faster due to the catalytic action

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