The crystal structure of yellow cis-[Mn(phen)2(NCS)2] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) containing a distortedoctahedral high-spin [MnlIN6] core is reported. The structure of [Mn(phen)2(NCS)2] consists of discrete molecules of six-coordinated Mn atoms sitting on twofold rotation axes with the thiocyanates coordinating via their N atoms. The Mn--NCS distances are 2.139 (3) A, while the Mn--N distances to the 1,10-phenanthrolines are 2.294 (2) and 2.301 (3),~. The geometry is distorted from octahedral because the N--Mn--N angle formed by each 1,10phenanthroline is only 72.2 °. Four of the cis N--Mn--N angles are in the range 89.3 (1)-90.4 (1) °, while the remainder are 96.8 (2) and 106.0 (1) °. The thiocyanate ions are linear [179.4 (3) ° ] and form an angle of 166.5 (3) ° with the Mn atom. 09Computations were performed using the MolEN package (Fair, 1990).Lists of structure factors, anisotropic displacement parameters and H-atom coordinates have been deposited with the IUCr (Reference: HH1078). Copies may be obtained through The Managing Editor, International Union of Crystallography, 5 Abbey Square, Chester CH 1 2HU, England.