Question

Give reasons for the following statement:

\[\ce{E^0_{(Mn^{2+}/Mn)}}\] value is highly negative as compared to other elements.

Answer 1

The \[\ce{\ce{E^0_{(Mn^{2+}/Mn)}}​}\] value is highly negative because manganese \[\ce{Mn}\] has a stable half-filled d⁵ electronic configuration in the \[\ce{Mn^{2+}}\] state. This stability makes the reduction of \[\ce{Mn^{2+}}\] to \[\ce{Mn}\] (with a d⁵ to d⁷ change) less favourable, resulting in a highly negative standard reduction potential.