About the element
Symbol: Mn
Date of discovery: 1774
Name origin: Latin magnes
Appearance: silverish/grayish
Discoverer: Johann Gahn
Obtained from: brine, sea water
Melting point: 1519 K
Boiling point: 2334 K
Density[kg/m3]: 7470
Molar volume: 7.35 × 10-6 m3/mol
Protons/Electrons: 25
Neutrons: 30
Shell structure: 2,8,13,2
Electron configuration: [Ar]3d54s2
Oxidation state: 7,6,4,2,3
Crystal structure: cubic body centered
Manganese is used in the same disciplines today as it was in prehistoric times. Used in iron and steel production, it was found in iron ores forged by the Spartans. The Egyptians and Romans used manganese compounds to add or remove color from glass. Manganese compounds can color glass an amethyst color and produce the color of the gemstone amethyst. Most of the world’s deposits of manganese are found in South Africa and Ukraine. Manganese also exists in nodules on the ocean floor; however, no economical method of harvesting them has been found. Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is commonly used in laboratories for its oxidizing properties.