Disclosed herein is a method of purifying acetic acid. The method comprises passing a feed stream comprising acetic acid through a distillation column; contacting the acetic acid with a permanganate oxidizing agent and hydrogen gas within the distillation column; withdrawing an acetic acid product from the distillation column; and withdrawing a gaseous product stream from a top portion of the distillation column, wherein the gaseous product stream comprises ethane, methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.