What Is Manganese?
by Joe Pryor
General Information About Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is classified as a metal, and belongs to the transition metal family. It has 25 protons, 30 neutrons, and 25 electrons. Its melting point is at 1246 °C, and its boiling point is 2061 °C.
Manganese is solid at room temperature
Manganese's Bohr Diagram
Manganese dioxide is the most common compound of manganese
More Information
Physical Properties
Manganese resembles iron physically. It is very hard and difficult to fuse, but it oxidizes relatively easily. It and its common ions are paramagnetic.
Chemical Properties
Manganese has oxidation states observed from -3 to +7. It is reactive when pure, burns with oxygen when a powder, rusts like iron in water, and dissolves in dilute acids.
Important Characteristics:
- Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d5 4s2
- Valence electrons: 2
- Source of origin: Manganese can be found in ores in Australia, Brazil, Gabon, India, Russia, and South Africa. Nodules on the ocean floor contain about 24% manganese.
- Atomic radius/ionic radius: 127 pm (empirical)
- Electronegativity: 1.55 (Pauling scale)
- Ionization energy: 717.3 kJ/mol (1st)
- Reactivity: Reactive when pure, reacts with water
- Oxidation states: -3 through +7
Interesting Facts/Common Uses
- Manganese is widely used in aluminum alloys
- It is also a key ingredient in low-cost stainless steel formulations
- It is one of the only three toxic essential trace elements
- Too much manganese can cause Parkinson, lung embolism, and bronchitis