Manganese

Sodium permanganate, NaMn04,3H20 (?), may be prepared in a similar manner, or by precipitating the silver salt with sodium chloride. It crystallizes with great difficulty. A solution of the crude salt is used as a disinfectant (Condy's Fluid).

Ammonium permanganate, explodes violently on rubbing, and its aqueous solution decomposes on boiling: 2NH4MnO4= 2Mn02+N2+4H20.

Barium permanganate, crystallizes in almost black needles, and is formed by passing carbon dioxide through water containing suspended barium manganate.

Detection.

Manganese salts can be detected by the amethyst colour they impart to a borax-bead when heated in the Bunsen flame, and by the green mass formed when they are fused with a mixture of sodium carbonate and potassium nitrate. Manganese may ' be estimated quantitatively by precipitation as carbonate, this salt being then converted into the oxide, by ignition, or to the sulphate, MnSO4; or by precipitation as hydrated dioxide by means of ammonia and bromine water, followed by ignition to The valuation of pyrolusite is generally carried out by means of a distillation with hydrochloric acid, the liberated chlorine passing through a solution of potassium iodide, and the amount of iodine liberated being ascertained by means of a standard solution of sodium thiosulphate. (X.)

The principal use of manganese is in the manufacture of iron and steel, about 95% of the world's production of manganese ores, manganiferous iron-ores, and manganiferous zinc residuum being consumed in metallurgical processes. Its chief chemical uses are as a constituent of oxidizing agents and colouring ma terials, and as a flux in the smelting of silver and lead ores. Salts of manganese are used as fertilizers and massive rhodonite as an ornamental stone. Manganese is also used for medical purposes. Ores of the metal are widely distributed, bLt deposits of com mercial importance are known only in a few countries. The prin cipal of these are Russia (Caucasus), the ore of which consists mainly of pyrolusite; India, Brazil and West Africa. Minor producers of the metal are Italy, Spain, the United States, Cuba and Japan ; while deposits are also known in Germany, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, Colombia. Chile and Oueensland .Spa