Lanthanide complexes of a steroid-substituted benzocrown ether were synthesised . The metal-to-ligand ratio of all the metal complexes is 1∶1. The ligand 4′ -[(cholesteryloxy)carbonyl]-benzo-15-crown-5 is a monotropic liquid cryst al, displaying a cholesteric mesophase. The lanthanide complexes with nitrate co unter-ions form a highly viscous mesophase, decomposing at the clearing point. The transition temperatures change as a function of the lanthanide ion. The corr esponding lanthanide complexes with dodecylsulphate (DOS) counter-ions do not f orm a mesophase. In both cases, the metal complexes have a much lower melting po int than the parent ligand.