A series of Ln(III) complexes of octadecyl N-salicylaldimine (ONsal) were synthesized and characterized by CHN analysis, magnetic moment, conductivity, thermoanalytical and spectroscopic methods. Elemental and thermal analysis data confirmed the formation of heptacoordinated [Ln(ONsal)2Cl2(H2O)]Cl complexes where Ln = Ce3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, which is further supported by the respective mass spectra. The ligand acts as a neutral bidentate species coordinating through azomethine nitrogen and phenolic O-atom. The linkage of one H2O molecule in all the complexes has been inferred from the thermal analysis. All the Ln(III) complexes are paramagnetic in nature and act as 2:1 electrolyte in 0.002 M DMF at 25 ºC. The complexes of Sm(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III) display luminescent properties. The powder XRD patterns of Nd(III) and Dy(III) complexes could be successfully indexed for monoclinic crystal systems, while the diffraction lines of Eu(III) complex are indexed for a triclinic crystal system. Methanolic solutions of the ligand and complexes were checked for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory properties where some of the Ln(III) complexes show significant α-glucosidase inhibitory potency while only Tb(III) complex shows inhibition against α-amylase.