Novel hydrazone ligands (HL) derived from 2,5-hexandione and benzoyl hydrazine (HDBH), 2-furoyl hydrazine (HDFH), or 2-picolinoyl hydrazine (HDPH) were used to synthesize mononuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of the general formula [M(L)2].xH2O (x= 0-3). The hydrazone ligands and the isolated complexes were characterized by, spectral, thermal analysis, molar conductance, and magnetic moment measurements. Beside, density functional theory (DFT) computations have been to study structures and energetic of the ligand and its complexes. The IR spectral information suggests that the ligands exhibit monobasic tridentate behavior through their ONO donor atoms. The metal complexes were determined to possess monomeric octahedral geometry. The DPPH antioxidant capability of both the ligand and their metal complexes was evaluated.