Five complexes of Zn(II) were synthesized by reaction between Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and the derivations of 1,2-phenylenediamine. Their structures were characterized by IR, ESI-MS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that in these complexes, the molar ratios of Zn(II) and the ligands are 1:1, Zn(II) is bound to the ligands through O and Nimine. Studies on the optical properties of the complexes showed that the complexes in solid form emitted luminescence stronger than in solution. When changing the substituent group on phenylene, the emission wavelengths of the complexes did not change much, but the emission intensity changed in the order of substituents Br >
H >
F >
Me >
Cl (for solid form) and Cl >
Br>
F >
Me >
H (for solution).