Manganese is amongst the most abundant transition metals on earth. Playing several roles in enzymatic function, manganese is largely considered biocompatible and, in comparison to most transition metals, it is relatively inexpensive. It is surprising then, that manganese remains poorly explored in the field of pincer-based homogenous catalysis. PN3(P) pincer ligands have proved to impart different kinetic and thermodynamic properties to the complexes they are a part of when compared to analogous complexes of ligands with CH2 spacers. In part I of this work, we present unexpected results from a thorough investigation of the coordination chemistry between a PN3 phenanthroline-based ligand and several manganese salts that suggest that the coordination environment may promote a disproportionation reaction. We also present an efficient route towards dichloride substituted PN3 manganese complexes. In Part II, we investigate the reactivity of manganese(II) pincer compounds in ester reduction reactions and probe the promising results afforded by reduction through borohydride.