The oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols was efficiently catalyzed by chiral dimeric Mn(III) salen complexes using PhI(OAc)(2) as an oxidant in the presence of various additives in water/organic solvent mixture. Excellent ee (up to 99%) of chiral secondary alcohols was achieved in 0.5 h. The catalyst 1A was recovered easily and reused five times with retention of enantioselectivity. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.