series of discrete mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes of L1 [Ln(L1)(NO3)2]NO3.nH2O (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Y; n = 1 for Ce; n = 2 for La, Sm, Gd and Y; n = 3 for Pr, Nd, Eu, and Tb) have been prepared by the condensation of Schiff bases with the precursor compounds namely, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, 1,5-diamino- 3-azapentane and 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylenediamine. All the mononuclear complexes have been prepared in situ by the step-wise condensation from the precursor compounds. The phenolate oxygen atom of the nucleating ligand behaves as a bridging group between the metal. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Visible, ESI, MALDI-TOF spectra and magnetic studies. The yield of these complexes increases from lighter lanthanides to heavier lanthanides. The fluorescence studies were carried out for europium and terbium complexes. The thermogravimetry studies were carried out for Gd complex of L1 shows a two step thermal decomposition pattern at temperature ranges 300 - 450 and 510 - 620 oC. The electrochemical studies were carried out for the Ce complex of L1 consists of a reduction wave and an oxidation wave. The results of elemental analysis of the complexes are in good agreement with the theoretical values. The complexes are soluble in methanol, chloroform, DMF, DMSO, and CH3CN. Conductivity studies reveal that all the complexes are 1:1 electrolytes.