All three complexes were prepared by a simple synthesis pathway (Scheme 2). The reaction of three equivalents of dbm and triethylamine with one equivalent of Dy(NO 3 ) 3 5H 2 O in methanol produced a colourless solution with a pale yellow tinge. Subsequent addition of a methanolic solution of bik-Et ligand into the above reaction mixture formed an off-white precipitate on stirring, which was dissolved in a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (5:2). Slow evaporation of the solution yielded analytically pure crystals of 1 in good yield (Figure ).