Coordination properties of calix[4]arenes bearing substituents on the lower rim: tetraethyl ester (1), tetraethylamide (2), and newly synthesized tetraethylmethylamide derivative (3), towards selected lanthanide cations (La3+, Eu3+, Yb3+) were studied by spectrophotometric titrations. No complexation was observed with ester derivative, while amide derivatives formed 1:1 complexes and bound lanthanide cations very efficiently (lgK(La2) = 5.1; lgK(Eu2) >= 6; lgK(Yb2) >= 6; lgK(La3) >= 6; lgK(Eu3) >= 6; lgK(Yb3) >= 6). The ligands and complexes were also analysed by ESI MS and MS/MS spectrometry. Both inductive cleavage and proton rearrangement fragmentation reactions were observed. Corresponding fragmentation pathways were proposed. The results obtained by MS analysis were in accordance with those obtained by spectrophotometric titrations.