The stabilities of molecular adducts between tris(tropolonato)metal(III) chelates of some tripositive ions of Groups 3 and 13 and trioctylphosphane oxide (TOPO) were studied using both theoretical and experimental methods. Density-functional calculations were used to optimise the structure and characterise tris(tropolonates) of scandium and yttrium, a series of model chelates of gallium, indium, thallium, scandium, and yttrium, as well as the 1:1 adducts of these chelates with trimethylphosphane oxide. The calculated energy of adduct formation decreased in the order: Y Ͼ Sc Ͼ Tl Ͼ In. Stability constants of the 1:1 (and some 1:2) TOPO adducts in solution, determined by synergistic solvent extraction of metal tropolonates, decreased in the same order. Both