Lanthanide(III) complexes with a podand Schiff base containing an N4O3 coordination site

New lanthanide complexes [Ln(L) (dmf)]2 with a podand Schiff base ligand H3L have been prepared by [3 + 1] condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-chlorophenol and tris-(2-aminoethyl)amine in the presence of Ln(Cl)3·nH20 (Ln = La, Gd and Dy) and NEt3. The lanthanide(III) ions coordinate into the inner N4O3 chamber of the ligand bearing three free carbonyl groups which may be involved in further functionalization.