Complexes of triphenylarsine oxide with yttrium and lanthanide nitrates have been prepared and studied. The following stoichiometries were obtained: M(NO3)3(OAsPh3)2EtOH, M(NO3)3(OAsPh3)3 and M(NO3)3(OAsPh3)4.Triphenylarsine oxide is more strongly bound to these metal ions than is triphenylphosphine oxide; the metal-ligand bond is almost entirely of an ion-dipole character. The i.r. spectra are discussed, especially with respect to the detailed behaviour of vaso.