In this paper the structure and properties of fresh manganese(II)-bentonite was compared with that of an old substance. It was concluded that the oxidation state of Mn changed. This did not cause many changes in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies; caused minor changes in the Mn concentration (determined by XRF) and thermoanalytical and electron spectroscopy analysis (ESCA). The change in the oxidation state of manganese was indicated by the colors of the samples, the difference in the surface sites, titration curves, redox potentials, adsorption, and catalytic activity of the fresh and the old Mn-bentonite. Potentiometric titration data were evaluated by a surface complexation model using the FITEQL3.2 computer program. Stability constants of edge charge reactions and the number of aluminol, silanol, and edge sites were calculated. Potentiometric titration data of commercial and freshly made MnO2 were also evaluated; the calculated constants and site numbers were compared with that of found in literature. Catalytic and adsorption activity of the samples were also investigated. It was found that fresh Mn-bentonite does not adsorb valine, while the old one and MnO2 does. Fresh Mn-bentonite does not catalyze the decomposition of H2O2, while the old one, as well as MnO2 does. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.