Two Schiff base ligands, cumi-gg(L) and pcb-gg(L 1 ) were prepared via condensation of cuminaldehyde (p-isopropylbenzaldehyde)/p-chlorobenzaldehyde and glycylglycine. The ligands were characterized based on elemental analysis, mass, 1 H and 13 C NMR, IR and UV–Vis spectra. Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ru(II) metal complexes are reported and characterized based on elemental analysis, mass, 1 H and 13 C NMR, molar conductance, IR, UV–Vis, magnetic moment, CV, ESR and thermal analyses, powder XRD and SEM. All the complexes were found to be non-electrolytic in nature. IR spectra show that the ligands are coordinated to the metal ions in a tridentate manner. The geometrical structures of these complexes are found to be octahedral. The thermal behavior of the synthesized complexes indicates the presence of lattice as well as coordinated water molecules in the complexes. The SEM image of [CoL 1 (H 2 O) 3 ] complex exhibit nano rod structure.