In the present studies the effect of diphenyl sulfoxide (DPSO) on the stereochemistry of the coordination compounds of lanthanides(III) derived from 4[N-(2¢-hydroxy-1¢-naphthalidene)amino]antipyrinesemicarbazone (HNAAPS) has been studied. The general composition of the present complexes is LnX 3 AE n (HNA-APS) AE DPSO (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy or Ho; X=NO 3 , n=1, X=NCS or ClO 4 , n=2). All these complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, infrared and electronic spectra. The infrared studies reveal that the HNAAPS behaves as a neutral tridentate (N, N, O), while DPSO is coordinated to the metal ion via its lone oxygen atom. Nitrates are bicovalently bonded, while thiocyanate is coordinated through strong N-atom. Perchlorato ions are not participating in coordination sphere. From electronic spectral data, nephelauxetic effect (b), covalence factor (b 1/2 ), Sinha parameter (d%) and the covalence angular overlap parameter (g) have been calculated. XRD of two representative compounds were also investigated. Antibacterial properties of these complexes were also performed. Thermal stabilities of these complexes were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. In conclusion, the coordination number of lanthanides (III) in the present compounds is either seven or ten depending on the coordinating anions.