Abstract Stabilization of peracetic acid (PAA) by aspartic acid diethoxy succinate (AES) was studied by electron spin resonance, UV/Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and oxygen evolution measurements. The results indicate that Mn(II)-AES complexes may exist in both monomeric and dimeric forms. Dimerization is proposed to proceed via formation of an oxygen bridge between two Mn(II)-AES complexes. The equilibrium between these two forms depends strongly on pH, the monomeric form being favored under acidic conditions, while conditions close to neutral pH favor the dimeric form. In the presence of PAA, the dimer form was oxidized and finally yielded MnO2. Oxygen evolution measurements were carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of AES in stabilizing PAA solutions containing small amounts of Mn(II) impurities under acidic conditions.