Are you working off a reference for the MnO2 oxidation of toluene? Thanks for the write up - good and useful information. Would be interested in any more details on the distillation of BzH from the tolly.
Feel sure you've seen it but - another prep of activated MnO2 from Manganese sulphate (cheap - gardening suppliers) and KMnO4 - bottom of https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/oxycodone.html (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/chemistry/oxycodone.html)