The solid complex of rare-earth compound with alanine, [Y-2(Ala)(4)(H2O)(8)](ClO4)(6) were synthesized, and the heat capacities of the solid complex were measured with a small sample high-precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 400 K. The melting point, molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion of the complex were determined to be 378.73+/-0.01 K, 16.78+/-0.02 kJ mol(-1), 44.30+/-0.04 JK(-1) mol(-1), respectively. Thermal decomposition of the complex was studied through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The possible mechanisms of the thermal decomposition reaction was suggested according to the TG and DSC results.