A number of complexes are synthesised with Pr(III) and Nd(III) employing the mono- and disaccharides, D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-arabinose, D-ribose, D-xylose, maltose and lactose. The complexes are characterised by various spectral and analytical techniques, and based on these data, appropriate structures were assigned for all complexes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.