What's the function of the magnesium sulfate in the permanganate oxidation of N-acetyl-O-toluidine to N-acetyl-anthranilic acid? Is it necessary?
I have read that it somehow moderates the oxidizing capabilities of KMnO4, minimizing over-oxidation.
I believe it buffers the system and perhaps 'chelates'
the oxidizing substrate and in doing so slows the rxn rate.