The reaction of 1,4-dimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L-Me 2 ) with MnCl 2 AE 4H 2 O in acetonitrile gives, in the presence of sodium formate, hydrogen peroxide, triethylamine and KPF 6 , the dinuclear Mn(III)-(1) which crystallises as the hexafluorophosphate salt. The analogous reaction with sodium benzoate, however, yields the dinuclear