Reactions of Manganese in the world around us

Manganese is very chemically active and it has the ability to react with various elements in chemistry which we see on a day to day basis that allow for its diversity in function and uses. Because of its valence electron configuration, it allows us to use it in different and unique ways that typically other elements cannot be used in. In biological systems manganese is a crucial component of vitamin B1.

The pure metal is produced from its most common compound (MnO₂---10^th most abundant compound in the earth's crust). It can be reduced chemically or refined electrolytically. The element has at least 5 stable oxidation states with distinctive colors (as is typical of transition metals). It is commonly encountered in the laboratory as the compound KMnO₄ which is a strong oxidizing agent. MnO₂ catalyzes the decomposition of H₂O₂ and is sometimes used for the small scale production of oxygen gas in the lab.