Which of the following compounds of manganese can be reduced to form the other three? A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 14 - 2004 - Paper 1

K₂MnO₄ contains manganese in a lower oxidation state that allows for reduction to KMnO₄, MnO₂, and MnO. The reduction reactions can be summarized as follows:

1. K₂MnO₄ to KMnO₄:

   • The oxidation state of manganese decreases from +6 (in K₂MnO₄) to +7 (in KMnO₄).

2. K₂MnO₄ to MnO₂:

   • The oxidation state decreases from +6 to +4.

3. K₂MnO₄ to MnO:

   • Finally, the oxidation state decreases to +2.

This indicates that K₂MnO₄ can indeed be reduced to form all of the other compounds listed.