During an oxidation reaction, what typically happens to the color of potassium permanganate solution?

During an oxidation reaction, potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) undergoes a change in oxidation state as it acts as an oxidizing agent. In this process, the deep purple color of the potassium permanganate solution is lost as its manganate ion (MnO₄⁻) is reduced, typically to a colorless manganese ion (Mn²⁺) in an acidic environment.

This transition effectively indicates that the oxidation reaction is occurring, as the color change from deep purple to colorless illustrates the consumption of the permanganate ions. The reaction is often used in titrations to visually indicate the endpoint, providing a clear and observable change. Thus, the correct answer is that the solution becomes colorless, reflecting the reduction of permanganate ions during the oxidation process.