Polycrystalline Sr3MnMo2O9 (I) and Ba3MnMo2O9 (II) double perovskites with Mo5+ valence states are prepared by thermal treatment of gels produced from stoichiometric amounts of Sr(NO3)2 or Ba(NO3)2, MnCO3, and (NH4)6Mo7O24 dissolved in citric acid (5% H2/N2 reducing atmosphere, 1200 °C, 12 h).