Abstract Neutral manganese(III) complexes have been prepared, with high yield and purity, by a modification of the Boucher synthesis, using asymmetrical Schiff base ligands. These ligands [H3-amsal = 3-aza-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)but-3-enamide], mcorpo-rating hard donor atoms, are derived from the condensation of an amine precursor containing an amide group and substituted salicylaldehydes. The complexes are found to be of the form MnIII (amsal-R)(H2O) n (n=0.5,3) and have been characterised by various methods. Data point to octahedral geometry at the manganese atom. Key Words: ManganeseSchiff basesAmidesCyclic voltammetryParamagnetic 1H NMR