The reactivity of a Schiff-base bis-imine ligand 3 is probed by X-ray diffraction studies. Its susceptibility to hydrolysis, oxidation and nucleophilic addition reactions is demonstrated by the isolation of the methanol adduct 4 and two diazapene heterocycles 5 and 6. This reactivity is also reflected in the molecular structures of two coordination complexes isolated by the reaction of 3 with MIJhfac) 2 salts, to afford ijCuIJ5)-IJhfac)IJtfa)] (8) and ijZnIJ6)IJhfac) 2 ] (9).