A new manganese( III) oxamato dimer possesing an unprecedented Mn-2(mu -O2C
R)(mu -OH2. . .O2CR) core has been synthesised, structurally and magnetical
ly characterised, and used as a catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes to al
cohols and ketones by (BuO2H)-O-t and O-2 in CH2Cl2 at rt.