Complex formation between europium tris(dipivalatomethane), Eu(DPM)3, and cyclic amines is not accompanied by inversion of the amine configuration, even for 2-alkyl and 2,6-dialkylpiperidines, where inversion of the amine configuration accompanies formation of the usual amine derivatives. There is, however, a steric effect of C-2 or C-6 substitution, in that the magnitude of the lanthanide induced shifts is sharply reduced.