Feel Like Watching a Leaf Cause an Explosion?

By Esther Inglis-Arkell

Manganese heptoxide is a compound with seven oxygen molecules.  It’s always ready to lend a few out, which is why it’s called an oxidizer.  Oxidization is another word for burning.  It oxidizes so spontaneously that nearly any contact with an organic molecule will set it off.  You can see it explode with a leaf and paper, as well as drops of butane.