A new iron(III) phenoxy-imine complex was prepared and characterized. The molecular structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction study. The X-ray analysis shows that the central atom is surrounded by two molecules of ligand 2-[[(2-hydroxyethyl)imino]methyl]-phenol in a tridentate coordination mode. The neutral complex can initiate solvent-free ring opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide.