Tri-and quadri-dentate Schiff bases have been synthesized from the reaction of dehydroacetic acid with diamines, aminoacids, aminophenols and aminoalcohols. The copper(II) and some nickel(II) and palladium(II) chelates of these ligands as well as copper(II) complexes of bidentate Schiff bases of dehydroacetic acid with anilines have been prepared and characterised by electronic, i.r. and n.m.r. spectral measurements and magnetic moments.