Similar to potassium permanganate, the two-step decomposition of rubidium permanganate leads to the formation of rubidium manganate intermediates.

It breaks down into manganese dioxide, rubidium oxide and oxygen.

[7] Drift-away oxygen caused an 8% mass loss in the product.

[7] Total reaction: In qualitative analysis, rubidium permanganate is used as a reagent to detect perchlorate ions.

It is produced as an intermediate from rubidium nitrate and potassium permanganate and precipitates with existing perchlorate ions as RbClO4·RbMnO4 mixed crystal.