The synthesis and characterization of Ni2Zn11-type γ-brasses with composition Mn2+xZn11−x (x = 0.06–0.60) are reported. The synthesis follows standard high temperature methods and characterization by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) techniques as well as Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). First principles electronic structure calculations showed preferential heteroatomic Mn–Zn bonding and repulsive effects of Zn–Zn 3d–3d orbital overlap that influence the metal atom distribution in the structure. Local bonding environments and the relationship of Mn2+xZn11-x to other γ-brasses containing 3d metals such as PdCoZn11 and Ni2Zn11 are discussed
