The reduction of [Mn(II)-salophen] derivatives [salophen ) N,N ′-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato) dianion] led to the formation of C-C bridged dimers. Such C-C bonds function as two electron shuttles in electron-transfer reactions. The reduction of [Mn(salophen)(THF)] 2 (1) and [Mn(3,5-Bu t 4 salophen)(THF)] 2 (3) with 2 equiv of sodium metal led to the corresponding single C-C bond bridged dimers, [Mn 2 (salophen 2 )Na 2 (DME) 4 ] (5) [salophen 2 ) C-C bonded salophen dimer] and [Mn 2 (3,5-Bu t 4 salophen 2 )Na 2 (DME) 6 ] (7), respectively. Complexes 5 and 7 undergo a further two electron reduction to [Mn 2 (*salophen 2 *)Na 4 (DME) 6 ] (6) [*salophen 2 * ) C-C doubly bonded salophen dimer] and [Mn 2 (*3,5-Bu t 4 salophen 2 *)Na 4 (DME) 4 ] (8), respectively, both containing a double C-C bridge. The obtention of [Mn 2 {salophen(Me)CH 2 )} 2 Na 4 (DME) 4 ] (9) from [Mn(salophen-Me 2 )(THF)] 2 (2) strongly supports the existence of free radical precursors in the formation of C-C bonds. Complex 6 has been used as a source of four electrons in a number of reactions, thus reduction of Ag + , PhCH 2 Cl, p-benzoquinone, and [Co II (MeOsalen)] occurs with the regeneration of the starting material 1. The C-C bond cleavage is the source of electrons, without being involved in any reaction as a reactive site. With stronger oxidizing agents not only complexes 6 and 8 transfer the electrons stored at the C-C bonds but also the metal undergoes a change in the oxidation state. The reaction of 6 with dioxygen produces a novel form of di-µ-oxo-Mn(IV) dimers, where the salophen ligand displays a bridging bonding mode in [Mn 2 (µ-salophen) 2 (µ-O) 2 ] (15) and [Mn 2 (µ-3,5-Bu t salophen) 2 (µ-O) 2 ] (16).