Polycrystalline YMn1ĀxFexO3 (YMFOx)(0 x 0.1) compounds have been prepared in single phase and characterized by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy, magnetization, and dielectric measurements. Iron-substitution in hexagonal YMnO3 causes intra-lattice changes exceeding those of the lattice cell. X-ray absorption near edge structure provides mixed-valence Mn3þ/Mn4þ and Fe4þ charge states in these manganites, consistent with the observed decrease of the effective magnetic moment with …