By proper choice of substituents on the aldehyde and amine, the nature of Schiff base formed (fully condensed or half condensed) could be tuned by the templating effect of the metal ion. Condensation of 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde with ethylene diamine in the presence of Co(II) or Cu(II) and azido anions have afforded two new half condensed Schiff base metal complexes [CuL(µ1,1-N 3)] 2 (1) and [CoL 2 ]N 3 •H 2 O (2), where L = (E)-2-((2-aminoethyl)methyl)-4chlorophenol that were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis, IR and UV spectra. Complex 1 is an asymmetric µ-1,1 azide bridged dimer displaying weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J =-2.93 ± 0.03 cm-1), in agreement with the axial-equatorial N 3-linkage between the two copper centers. Complex 2 is a monomer of low spin Co(III).