2 KMnO4 + 5 H2S + 3 H2SO4 → 5 S + 2 MnSO4 + K2SO4 + 8 H2O – Balanced equation

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

KMnO₄ is an oxidizing agent, H₂S is a reducing agent.

Reactants:

• KMnO₄ – Potassium manganate(VII)
  • Other names: Potassium permanganate , Chameleon mineral , Condy's crystals
  • Appearance: Purplish-bronze-gray needles | magenta–rose in solution ; Dark purple crystals
• H₂S – Hydrogen sulfide
  • Other names: D , Ihydrogen monosulfide|Dihydrogen sulfide|Sewer gas|Sulfane|Sulfurated hydrogen|Sulfureted hydrogen|Sulfuretted hydrogen|Sulfur hydride|Hydrosulfuric acid|Hydrothionic acid|Thiohydroxic acid|Sulfhydric acid}} , Hydrosulfuric acid
  • Appearance: Colorless gas ; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with characteristic odour of rotten eggs ; Colorless gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs. [Note: Sense of smell becomes rapidly fatigued & can NOT be relied upon to warn of the continuous presence of H2S. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.]
• H₂SO₄ – Sulfuric acid
  • Other names: Oil of vitriol , Sulfuric acid, concentrated (> 51% and , H2SO4
  • Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid ; Odourless colourless oily hygroscopic liquid ; Colorless to dark-brown, oily, odorless liquid. [Note: Pure compound is a solid below 51°F. Often used in an aqueous solution.]

Products:

• S
  • Names: Sulfur , S , Sulphur
  • Appearance: Yellow solid in various forms
• MnSO₄ – Manganese(II) sulfate
  • Other names: MnSO4 , Manganese sulfate anhydrous , Manganese sulphate
  • Appearance: White crystals (anhydrous) | pale pink solid (hydrates)
• K₂SO₄
  • Names: Potassium sulfate , Potassium sulphate , Dipotassium sulfate
  • Appearance: White solid ; Colourless-to-white crystals
• H₂O – Water, oxidane
  • Other names: Water (H2O) , Hydrogen hydroxide (HH or HOH) , Hydrogen oxide
  • Appearance: White crystalline solid, almost colorless liquid with a hint of blue, colorless gas