These can be explained by the use of molecular orbital
theory which is beyond the present scope The manganate and permanganate ions are tetrahedral; the p-
bonding takes place by overlap of p orbitals of oxygen with d orbitals
of manganese The green manganate is paramagnetic because of one
unpaired electron but the permanganate is diamagnetic due to the
absence of unpaired electron Acidified permanganate solution oxidises oxalates to carbon dioxide,
iron(II) to iron(III), nitrites to nitrates and iodides to free iodine