Explain the preparation of potassium permanganate from `MnO_(2)` Write the balanced chemical equations for the reactions involved. 

Explanation

Potassium permanganate is prepared by the fusion of `MnO_(2)` with an alkali metal hydroxide and an oxidising agent like `KNO_(3)`. This results in the formation of the dark green `K_(2)MnO_(4)` which disproportionates in a neutral or acidic solution to give potassium permanganate.
`2MnO_(2) +4KOH +O_(2) to 2K_(2)MnO_(4) +2H_(2)O`
`3K_(2)MnO_(4) +4H^(+) to 2KMnO_(4) +MnO_(2) +2H_(2)O +4K^(+)`