Complexes of composition Zn(MS)(2)(UR)(6), Zn(MS)(2)(IMI)(6), Zn(MS)(2)(DITHIO)(4) (where MS: methanesulfonate; UR: urea; IMI imidazole; DITHIO: 2.2-dithiobis(pyridine-N-oxide)) were prepared by reaction of hydrated zinc methanesulfonate with the ligands and characterized by CHN microanalysis, atomic absorption and IR absorption spectra. The complexes were also studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Infrared spectroscopy data reveal that methanesulfonate is monodentate in the complexes. Thermogravimetric curves indicate that the decomposition of the complexes occurs in the range 395-1170 K and that ZnO is the final residue. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.