The present study is devoted to the synthesis of 4-chloro-2-{[5-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene]amino}phenol and its transition metal complexes. Synthesis of the ligand has been achieved by the condensation reaction of N,N-diethylsalicylaldehyde with 4-chloro-2-aminophenol in acidic medium. Metals complexes of the ligand with different transition metal ions [M²⁺= Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pd(II)] have been accumulated in alcoholic media and characterized by spectroscopic methods. UV-Vis analysis of the complexes indicates the ligand coordination to the metal ions via both OH groups and the azomethine nitrogen atom, acting as a tridentate ligand. Anticancer tests of selected complexes demonstrate moderate in vitro activity of Cu(II) complex against HeLa cell line.