The complexes of manganese with aliphatic and aromatic polyhydroxy ligands in basic media have been studied by electrochemical, spectrophotometric, and magnetic methods. The results indicate that glucarate, glycerate, L-tartrate, and meso-tartrate stabilize the +2, +3, and +4 oxidation states of manganese in much the same manner as gluconate ion. Sorbitol, mannitol, inositol, nzeso-erythritol, glycerol, 2,3-butanediol, and ethylene glycol do not appreciably form soluble Mn(II) complexes but produce stable Mn(III) and Mn(IV) complexes. Diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tartronate, and glycolate also form stable Mn(II) and -(III) complexes as well as transiently stable Mn(IV) complexes. Catechol,2, l,2-dihydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonate (Tirón), 3,5-di-íert-butylcatechol (DTBC), tetrafluorocatechol, 4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonate, and salicylate stabilize the +2 and +3 oxidation states of manganese. A tris(DTBC semiquinone)manganese(III) complex is produced by oxidation of the Mn(II)-DTBC complex. The redox chemistry and solution equilibria for this group of complexes have been evaluated.