Question

How is manganese extracted from manganese dioxide, MnO₂? Explain with the help of an equation.

Answer 1

Manganese metal is extracted by the reduction of its oxide with aluminium powder as the reducing agent. Thus, when manganese dioxide is heated with aluminium powder, manganese metal is produced.

\[\ce{\underset{dioxide}{\underset{Manganese}{3MnO2_{(s)}}} + \underset{(Reducing agent)}{\underset{Aluminiu powder}{4Al_{(s)}}} -> \underset{metal}{\underset{Manganese}{3Mn_{(l)}}} + \underset{oxide}{\underset{Aluminium}{2Al2O3_{(s)}}} + Heat}\]

This is a displacement reaction between MnO₂ and Al that also involves an oxidation-reduction reaction. This example demonstrates the application of a displacement reaction in metal extraction. The reduction of manganese dioxide by aluminium is a highly exothermic process. A significant amount of heat is generated during the reduction of manganese dioxide with aluminium powder, causing the manganese metal to melt.