Manganese dioxide
chemical compound
Manganese dioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula MnO2. This blackish or brown solid occurs naturally as the mineral pyrolusite, which is the main ore of manganese and a component of manganese nodules. The principal use for MnO2 is for dry-cell batteries, such as the alkaline battery and the zinc–carbon battery, although it is also used for other battery chemistries such as aqueous zinc-ion batteries. MnO2 is also used as a pigment and as a precursor to other manganese compounds, such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4). It is used as a reagent in organic synthesis, for example, for the oxidation of allylic alcohols. MnO2 has an α-polymorph that can incorporate a variety of atoms (as well as water molecules) in the "tunnels" or "channels" between the manganese oxide octahedra. There is considerable interest in α-MnO2 as a possible cathode for lithium-ion batteries.
Structure
Several polymorphs of MnO2 are claimed, as well as a hydrated form. Like many other dioxides, MnO2 crystallizes in the rutile crystal structure (this polymorph is called pyrolusite or β-MnO2), with three-coordinate oxide anions and octahedral metal centres. MnO2 is characteristically nonstoichiometric, being deficient in oxygen.
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