Manganese(IV) oxide

Manganese(IV) oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula MnO
₂. This blackish or brown solid occurs naturally as the mineral pyrolusite, which is the main ore of manganese and a component of manganese nodules. The principal use for MnO
₂ is for dry-cell batteries, such as the alkaline battery and the zinc-carbon battery. MnO
₂ is also used as a pigment and as a precursor to other manganese compounds, such as KMnO
₄. It is used as a reagent in organic synthesis, for example, for the oxidation of allylic alcohols. MnO
₂ in the α polymorph can incorporate a variety of atoms (as well as water molecules) in the "tunnels" or "channels" between the manganese oxide octahedra. There is considerable interest in α-MnO
₂ as a possible cathode for lithium ion batteries.