Cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of bidentate and tridentate Schiff bases derived from the condensation of 3-hydrazino-6-methyl[1,2,4]triazin-5(4H)one and aromatic aldehyde derivatives were synthesized and characterized. Elemental and thermal analyses as well as i.r., electronic spectra, molar conductance and magnetic moment measurements were utilized for the investigation of the complexes. From these investigation data, the structural formulae, the mode of bonding, and geometry of the complexes were obtained. The photolysis of the complexes was investigated. The photolysis is enhanced by the presence of H 2 O 2 due to the hydroxyl radicals generated during the photochemical reaction. Mechanisms of the pyrolysis and the photolysis of the complexes are suggested.