Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Manganese nitrate synthesis

lalalympo - 5-12-2017 at 13:39

I was wondering if it's possible to make manganese nitrate by the reaction of nitric acid and manganese carbonate according to the reaction: MnCO3 + 2 HNO3 -> Mn(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2. It seems very simple, way easier than the method using oxalic acid. MnCO3 is insoluble in water, but maybe it still reacts with acid the same way CaCO3 does?

I found a pottery store that sells manganese carbonate, it's probably loaded with impurities, especially considering its low pricetag, but I could do some re-crystallization with the manganese nitrate.


[Edited on 5-12-2017 by lalalympo]

happyfooddance - 5-12-2017 at 14:02

Of course.

Texium - 5-12-2017 at 17:12

I wouldn't be so sure. Nitric acid might oxidize Mn(II) to Mn(IV), giving you manganese dioxide and NOx. Try it out on a small scale and see if you get a nice light pink solution or a bunch of brown crud and nasty fumes.

DraconicAcid - 5-12-2017 at 17:39

I doubt nitric acid will oxidize Mn(II) to MnO2- even in a concentrated solution of nitric acid, it requires a stronger oxidizing agent than nitrate (chlorate works). It's easier to oxidize to MnO2 in more basic solution, but the the nitrate ion doesn't act as an oxidant.

Texium - 5-12-2017 at 18:39

Alright, I did a quick experiment out of curiosity. In a test tube, I made a suspension of manganese carbonate in water and added a few drops of azeotropic nitric acid. It fizzed and dissolved quickly to yield a pale pink solution. Gas given off was odorless. Looks like DraconicAcid is correct, and manganese(II) nitrate should be stable.

Boffis - 6-12-2017 at 10:32

Its easy to make manganese nitrate solution but its quite another to obtain manganese nitrate crystals. I found it extremely soluble and the final crystals extremely deliquescent. MnCO3 dissolves in hot 30% nitric acid fairly readily, excess carbonate ensures complete consumption of the acid and I had no problems with excessive oxidation or hydrolysis in the concentrated solution that results but evaporating it to crystallization was difficult. I wonder if you could bring about crystallization by adding ethanol to the concentrated solution?

yobbo II - 6-12-2017 at 20:09

Some stuff here

https://geocitieschloratesite.000webhostapp.com/chlorate/mno...

Since I obtained 500 mls of nitric acid (at great expense) a few weeks ago. I have now made some Mn Nitrate by reacting it with pottery grade Mn Carbonate and filtering. You need to leave the solution slightly acidic otherwise the Mn nitrate tends to decompose.

[Edited on 7-12-2017 by yobbo II]