A new polycarboxylate ligand H 5 L has been synthesized by the attachment of five benzoate subunits onto a diethylenetriamine framework. Seven pK a values have been determined by potentiometry, spectrophotometry and NMR spectroscopy as 1.9(2), 2.8(2), 3.87(5), 4.58(6), 4.87(6), 9.19(6) and 11.68(5), the first four corresponding to the carboxylic functions and the last three to amine sites. The interaction between H 5 L and Ln III ions in dilute aqueous solution has been examined by UV/Vis absorption and emission spectrometries, and has been found to result in monometallic complexes that are moderately stable in the pH range 3.7−7.5. Conditional stability constants at pH 5.3 are logK 11 = 5.3(2), 6.6(1), 6.5 (1)