The formation of colloidal dispersions bf Mn is possible via the chemical reduction of MnBr2.2THF. The resulting hydrogen-free organosol is studied in detail bg-a combination of physical methods, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). it is concluded that the metal colloid consists of small Mn particles in the zero-valent stale. stabilized bq intact THF molecules, Nanostructured organosols of the early transition metal series are of interest as powerful additives for the activation of heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts.