Manganese is a chemical element with the symbol Mn and atomic number 25. It is a gray-white metal that is similar to iron and widely used in alloys, batteries, and other industrial applications. Manganese dioxide is the most common compound of manganese, and it is used in the production of batteries, ceramics, and glass.


A reducing agent is a substance that is capable of reducing the oxidation state of another substance. In the case of manganese dioxide, a reducing agent is required to reduce it to elemental manganese. One of the most commonly used reducing agents for this purpose is carbon monoxide (CO). The reaction between manganese dioxide and carbon monoxide can be represented as follows:

MnO2 + CO → Mn + CO2


The process of obtaining manganese from manganese dioxide using carbon monoxide as a reducing agent involves the following steps:

1. Preparation of the Reactants: Manganese dioxide and carbon monoxide are prepared in the required quantities.

2. Mixing of the Reactants: The manganese dioxide and carbon monoxide are mixed in a suitable container.

3. Heating of the Mixture: The mixture is heated to a high temperature (around 800-1000°C) in the presence of a catalyst such as iron or nickel.

4. Reduction of Manganese Dioxide: The carbon monoxide acts as a reducing agent and reduces the manganese dioxide to elemental manganese.

5. Separation of Manganese: The elemental manganese is then separated from the reaction mixture using various physical and chemical processes.


In conclusion, carbon monoxide is an effective reducing agent for obtaining manganese from manganese dioxide. The process involves mixing the reactants, heating the mixture in the presence of a catalyst, and separating the elemental manganese from the reaction mixture. The use of this process in the industrial production of manganese has made it an essential metal for various applications.

Aluminium