The stability of beta-cyclodextrin-anisaldehyde (beta-CDA) inclusion complex was investigated by TG and DSC. The weight loss of beta-CDA . 9H(2)O takes place in three stages : the dehydration occurs at 50-120 degrees C; the dissociation of beta-CDA occurs at 210-260 degrees C; and the decomposition of beta-CD begins at 280 degrees C. The kinetics of the dissociation of beta-CDA in flowing dry nitrogen was studied by means of thermogravimetry both at constant temperature and with linearly increasing temperature. The results show that the dissociation of beta-CDA is dominated by a two-dimensional diffusion process (D-2). The activation energy E is 139.23 kJ mol(-1), the pre-exponential factor A is 1.0394 x 10(12) min(-1).