The far-i.r. spectra of anhydrous ScCl3 and ScBr3(and the Raman spectrum of the former) are reported. Four well defined pyridine complexes having 1 : 4 and 1 : 3 stoicheiometry were characterized. ScCl3,4py and ScBr3,4py have one loosely bound, non-co-ordinated pyridine molecule, [py3ScX3]py. The 1 : 3 complex py3,ScCl3 appears to be a cis(facial)-octahedral complex which is only weakly ionized in nitromethane solutions, whereas the corresponding bromo-complex behaves as a strongly ionized tetrahedral complex [py3ScBr]2+(Br–)2. The first phosphine complexes of scandium are also reported: ScCl3,dppe and ScBr3,1·5dppe [dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]. Their far-i.r. spectra are presented and possible structures are discussed.