We report the synthesis of rod shaped Mn (2.2 at%) doped ZnO single crystals using the surfactant AOT (sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulpho succinate) assisted solid-state synthesis route. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microsopy analyses showed the formation of impurity free single crystals of Mn doped ZnO with wurtzite structure. XPS data revealed that Mn exists in +2 oxidation state. DC magnetization measurements as a function of field and temperature showed that the sample is ferromagnetic above room temperature. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.