Several complexes of the type [Fe(S 2CNR 1R 2) 3] with symmetrical (R 1 = R 2 = C 6H 5, C 6H 5CH 2, C 4H 8N and C 5H 10N) and unsymmetrical ligands (R 1 = CH 3, R 2 = C 6H 5 and n-C 4H 9; R 1 = C 2H 5, R 2 = C 6H 5 and n-C 4H 9) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Thermogravimetric studies of the complexes exhibit a prominent weight loss of ∼70% in the temperature range 200–350 °C. In most cases decomposition occurs in two stages though in some cases it also occurs in a single, two and three stages. Thermogravimetric studies and differential thermal analysis suggest the formation of iron sulphide as an intermediate but finally Fe 2O 3 is formed. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra exhibit an unsymmetrical doublet resolved into two quadrupole doublets corresponding to an equilibrium mixture of high and low spin states. Mössbauer spectra recorded after heating the samples at 250, 550 and 750 °C in air confirm the formation of iron sulphide and γ-Fe 2O 3 in a particular case as intermediate products though finally α-Fe 2O 3 is formed. The activation energy for the thermal decomposition varies between 61 and 198 kJ mol −1 and it is a first order reaction. It is suggested that intramolecular rearrangement may be taking place during decomposition.