Ternary mixed-ligand metal complexes [M(L 1 )(L 2 ) 2 ](H 2 O) n , where M ¼ Co(II), Ni(II), or Cu(II), L 1 ¼ the dianion of succinic, malic, or tartaric acid, and L 2 ¼ creatinine, were synthesized and characterized using microchemical and thermal analyses, molar conductance, infrared, and electronic spectral measurements. A square-planar structure is suggested for the Co(II) and Cu(II) ternary complexes, whereas Ni(II) ternary complexes have tetrahedral stereochemistry. Formation constants of the binary and ternary complexes in such systems were determined by pHmetric titrations at 25 + 0.1 8C and at a constant ionic strength I ¼ 0.1 M (KNO 3 ). The stability of the various complexes was discussed in terms 523 ORDER REPRINTS of the nature of both the ligands and metal ions. The thermodynamic functions (DH, DG o , and DS o ) associated with the complex formation of [Cu(II) þ aliphatic acids þ creatinine] were also determined and examined.