Asymmetric salen-type Schiff base ligands have been synthesized via a stepwise approach. In the first step, mono-Schiff base compounds were prepared by condensation of salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with hydrazine hydrate. These compounds were then reacted with 4 0 -formylbenzo-15-crown-5 to prepare asymmetric ligands. 1 H-NMR spectra indicate that the mono-and asymmetric bis-Schiff base compounds exist in both (E) and (Z) isomeric forms in CDCl 3 solution. The asymmetric crown compounds form crystalline 1:1 (Na + :ligand) complexes with sodium perchlorate. Homo-metallic Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 1:2 (metal:ligand) stoichiometries have also been synthesized. The results indicate that the Schiff base ligands coordinate through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen.