Two new cluster compounds having chiral incomplete-cubane-type (Mn3O4)-O-III cores were synthesized using (2S)-2-hydroxy-4-(salicylideneamino)butyrate (H2L-) and characterized by X-ray analysis as well as magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic measurements. Compound 1 contains a [Mn-3(III)(L)(3)(mu(3)-OMe)](-) cluster anion, while compound 2 prepared in water has a heptanuclear structure bearing two [Mn-3(III)(L)(3)(mu(3)-OH)](-) clusters connected by a Mn-II(H2O)(4) fragment. In both compounds, a moderate intracluster (MnMnIII)-Mn-III center dot center dot center dot)31 ferromagnetic interaction was observed. It was also found that the (Mn3O4)-O-III cluster cores are maintained in solution.