The preparation, spectroscopic properties, and catecholase-like activity of the dimanganese(II) complex [Mn 2 (6¢Me 2 PAP) 2 Cl 4 ] [6¢Me 2 PAP: 1,4-di(6¢-methyl-2¢-pyridyl)aminophthalazine] are reported. The title compound was suitable catalyst for the oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBCH 2 ) to 3,5-di-t-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone (3,5-DTBQ) with dioxygen under ambient conditions in good yields. The catalytic oxidation was found to obey Michaelis-Menten type kinetics.