A new Schiff base, 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-hydrazinobenzothiazole) (DPHB), has been designed, and synthesized by the condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 2-hydrazinobenzothiazole, and structurally characterized. Copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), manganese(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes of DPHB have been synthesized for the first time. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral (i.r., 1 H-n.m.r., u.v.-vis., e.p.r. and FAB-mass) and thermal studies. The complexes exhibit an octahedral geometry around the metal centre. The conductance data of all the complexes suggest them to be 1:1 electrolytes. The X-band e.p.r. spectra of the copper(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes in the polycrystalline state at room (300 K) and liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) were recorded and their salient features are reported. Thermal stabilities of the manganese(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been studied.