The title compound, [Mn(C14H8O4)(C12H12N2)](n), with a novel three-dimensional framework, has been prepared by a hydrothermal reaction at 433 K. Each Mn atom lies on a twofold axis in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, coordinated by two N atoms from two benzidine ligands and four O atoms from three symmetry-related biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (bpdc) ligands. The benzidine ligands lie about inversion centres and the bpdc ligands about twofold axes. Each bpdc ligand is bonded to three Mn ions to form a continuous chain of metal ions. The bpdc ligands are accommodated in a series of distorted holes resembling hexagonal prisms.