Transition-metal activated phosphors are an important family of luminescent materials that can produce white light with an outstanding color rendering index and correlated color temperature for use in light-emitting diodes. In recent years, work in this quite “hot” research field has focused on the development of Mn²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ activated red phosphors. In this review article, we provide an overview of recent studies on Mn²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ doped phosphors, including detailed synthesis routes (solid-state reaction and wet-chemical synthesis) and description of luminescence mechanisms and phosphors’ behaviors; discuss their promising applications in white light-emitting diodes; and present an extensive list of references to representative works in this field.

White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with high luminous brightness, low energy consumption, long lifetime and environmental friendliness can be applied in various fields. In order to improve the quality of white light, red phosphors are necessary.