Four mixed O,S binding ligand precursors derived from maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone) have been chelated to gallium(III), indium(III), and lanthanide(III) ions to yield a series of metal complexes. The four ligand precursors include two pyranthiones, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyranthione, commonly known as thiomaltol (Htma), and 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyranthione, commonly known as ethylthiornaltol (Hetma), and two pyridinethiones, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4(H)-pyridinethione (Hmppt) and 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridinethione (Hdppt). Dimeric forms of the pyridinethiones, Hmppt dimer and Hdppt dimer, were also isolated and characterized. Complete characterization of the monomeric organic compounds is reported including acidity constants and crystal structures of Htma, Hetma, and Hdppt dimer. Reacting the four monomeric ligand precursors with Ga3+ and In3+ ions yielded new tris(bidentate ligand) complexes. X-ray-quality crystals of the fac isomer of Ga(tma)(3) were also obtained. New complexes with a range of anthanicles (Ln(3+)) were also synthesized with the two pyranthiones, Htma and Hetma. The synthesis reactions yielded complexes of the type LnL(3)center dot xH(2)O and LnL(2)(OH)center dot xH(2)O, as indicated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence such as mass spectral data and IR and NMR spectra.