KMnO4, which is potassium permanganate, is classified as an ionic compound. This classification is due to the nature of the bonds formed between its constituent elements.
In KMnO4, potassium (K) is a metal, and it loses an electron to form a positively charged ion, K+. On the other hand, the permanganate ion (MnO4–) is a polyatomic ion composed of manganese and oxygen, which together form a negatively charged ion. The positive and negative charges create an electrostatic force of attraction, resulting in ionic bonding.
In contrast, molecular compounds are formed when two or more nonmetals share electrons through covalent bonds, which is not the case in potassium permanganate. Therefore, the presence of these ionic bonds confirms that KMnO4 is indeed an ionic compound.