The anhydrous rare earth hydrazinecarboxylates, Ln(N2H3COO)(3) where Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd or Sm and hydrated rare earth hydrazinecarboxylates, Ln(N2H3COO)(3)(H2O)(3) where Ln=La or Nd have been prepared and characterized by chemical analyses, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analyses (TG/DTA/DTG). The infrared spectra indicate that the hydrazinecarboxylate group in both the sets of complexes is coordinated in a bidentate (chelate) fashion with the N-N stretching frequency at 980-1000 cm(-1). The thermal analyses of all the complexes show multi-step decomposition. The final product in all the cases is invariably the respective metal oxide carbide, Ln(2)O(2)C(2), though there are some variations in the decomposition pattern.