2235 Stable isotopes 1 Heat of vapor. Manganese Manganese is a reactive, silvery-gray metal, with a pinkish tinge. Its principal use is in the manufacture of alloy steel. These materials are called ferromanganese. The principal ore of manganese is pyrolusite, MnO2, which occurs in black, massive forms and as a fine black powder.
Manganese dioxide is used as an oxidizing agent in ordinary dry cell batteries.
Potassium permanganate, KMnO4, is the most important compound of manganese. Crystallizing as deep red prisms, it dissolves in water to an intensely magenta colored solution. A powerful oxidizing agent, it is used as a disinfectant. Spin Natural Abund.