The thermal decomposition in air of benzene-1,4-dioxyacetates of Y and lanthanides from La(III) to Lu(III) has been studied. During heating, the hydrated complexes Ln2[C6H4(OCH2.COO)2]3.nH2O (n = 6-13) lose water of crystallisation in one (Y, La-Pr and Ho-Lu) or two steps (Nd-Dy), then decompose either directly to the oxides or with intermediate formation of very unstable oxycarbonates (La and Nd).