Azo compounds were prepared by coupling of benzenediazonium chloride ions with 1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid under alkaline conditions, and Schiff bases, L_1–3 were then obtained by the condensation of 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(phenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid, 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(4-ethylphenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid, and 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid with salicylaldehyde. New copper(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base ligands were also prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetic measurements, elemental, and thermogravimetric analysis.