Asymmetric, potentially pentadentate ligands (H(2)L(3)) are formed by subsequent condensation of a semicarbazide and benzoylhydrazine on 2,6-diacetylpyridine. Two equivalents of H(2)L(3) reacts with CeCl(3).7H(2)O, Ce(SO(4))(2).4H(2)O, or EuCl(3).6H(2)O under formation of [Ln(III)(HL(3))(2)](+) cations (Ln = Ce, Eu) with exclusive deprotonation of the benzoylhydrazone ligand arms. The Ce(4+) ion of the sulfate salt is reduced during the reaction and forms 10-coordinate singly charged complex cations, the structure of which is identical to the product of the reaction of cerium(III) chloride. The exact position of deprotonation in the ligands is resolved by infrared spectroscopy, bond lengths considerations, and the hydrogen bonding in the solid-state structures of the products. A similar approach allows the synthesis of mixed semicarbazone/thiosemicarbazone ligands (H(2)L(4)). The reaction of H(2)L(4) with Sm(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O leads to the first structurally characterized lanthanide complex with thiosemicarbazone coordination. The solid-state structure of the 10-coordinate complex [Sm(HL(4))(2)]NO(3).H(2)O shows exclusive deprotonation of the thiosemicarbazone arms of the ligands. All isolated complexes are air stable and do not undergo ligand exchange reactions or hydrolysis in the presence of water.