A mixed-valence octanuclear manganese complex of formula [(Mn4Mn4O4)-Mn-II-O-III(ccnm)(12)]center dot 4MeCN center dot 7H(2)O (1 center dot 4MeCN center dot 7H(2)O) (ccnm = carbamoylcyanonitrosomethanide) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and magnetic measurements. The metal core of 1 adopts a tetra-capped (with Mn-II ions) distorted [(Mn4O4)-O-III](4+) cubane topology, with a three-J magnetic analysis indicating that the cluster displays dominant antiferromagnetic interactions. Three equally possible fits were obtained, all leading to a spin ground state of S = 0 with S = 1, 2 and 3 close in energy. Comparisons of the magnetic analysis are made with that published for a related Mn-8 cluster and, more generally, with other (MnMnIII)-Mn-III and (MnMnII)-Mn-III fragments in clusters of various types.