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Heterocyclic dithiocarbamate complex of manganese and the adducts of the complex with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2-bipyridyl respectively were synthesized and characterized. The complexes were used as single-source precursors for the preparation of MnS nanoparticles via thermolysis in oleylamine (OLA) and dodecanethiol (DT). The optimized reaction parameters have resulted in the formation of α-MnS and γ-MnS nanoparticles depending on the dispersion medium and the nature of the precursor. The same precursors were also used for the deposition of MnS thin films by the aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) method in varying solvents and temperatures. The morphology and phase of the synthesized nanoparticles were shown to be affected by the precursor type and the nature of the surfactants. TEM images show the formation of nanoparticles of various morphologies ranging from spherical monodispersed to large elongated pointed rods, depending on the precursor type. SEM images showed that the morphology of the deposited thin films is affected by precursor type and the deposition temperature. Worm-like to rod-like films were observed on TEM images at 350 °C, which changes to spherical or cubic films at 450 °C. Magnetic measurements at room temperature showed the α-MnS and γ-MnS nanoparticles in paramagnetic states due to Mn2+ moments. The susceptibility for the γ-phase is at least double that of the α-phase. Finite and small hysteretic effects in low fields are indicative of small ordered antiferromagnetic phases due to negative exchange interaction between Mn2+ ions.