[Joeyups7]

So I have an excess of Mno2 and wanted some other compounds. So I took some dilute acetic acid and added Mno2 until there was no more reactions going on. Once bubbling stopped I filtered the solution and began to evaporate and then heated until it was all evaporated. To my surprise there was no crystal or powder but only a sticky goo like substance. So I added some distilled water to bring back into the solution and tried just evaporating without boiling and got the same results. The last thing I did was again add water but this time added NaHCO3 until no more bubbling. It appears that I now have H2MnO2 and C2H3NaO2. So I believe there was indeed manganese acetate. My question is how in the world do I get it to crystallize? Any help greatly appreciated thank you.

[chenbeier]

First MnO₂ can not get Mn-II. Check Oxidation numbers of manganese.  Acetate can create polymer adducts, which not crystilize.

[Joeyups7]

Thank you for the reply. I made a mistake and said I ended up with H2MnO2 which is totally untrue. I did however get MnCO3. Isn't that an Mn-II?

[chenbeier]

Yes it is. But the question is to go from MnO₂ it is Mn-IV to Mn-II. You need a redox reaction.  Acetic acid alone is not able to do it.

[Joeyups7]

Thank you for the replies. Helping me learn!