The synthesis and characterization of complexes of stoichiometry [MoL3X3] (L = imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, benzimidazole or 2-methylbenzimidazole and X = Cl-, Br- or NCS-) are described. The effective magnetic moments (3.68-3.78 BM) are characteristic of octahedral molybdenum(III). The C = N stretching frequency of the ligands shift to higher frequency in the complexes, suggesting that tertiary nitrogen is the active site of coordination of the ligand (L). The nu(CN) and nu(CS) bands of thiocyanate complexes are diagnostic of N-bonded thiocyanate.