Application of N-haloamide ligands in nitrene photochemistry requires predictable and selective N-X activation chemistry. In the context of Mn(III) haloamide photochemistry, homolytic N-X bond cleavage would afford a Mn(IV) nitrenoid while heterolytic N-X bond activation would result in Mn(V) nitrenoids (Figure ). In addition to these potential N-X activation modes, activation of the Mn-N bonds could give rise to Mn(II) and amidyl radicals. Analogous O-X homolysis and heterolysis as well as M-O homolysis pathways have been documented in the oxo photochemistry of metal oxyanion complexes. Figure . Summary of potential photoactivation pathways for Mn(III) N-haloamide complexes.