Azomethines were synthesized from 2,4,6-trimethylaniline, salicylaldehyde, and its 3(5)-halogen derivatives, as well as their complexes with zinc(II) (ZnL 2 ). The structure and composition of the compounds were determined by elemental analysis, IR, 1 H NMR, and X-ray spectroscopy. The ZnL 2 complexes have a tetrahedral structure. The photoluminescent properties of azomethines and their zinc complexes in methylene chloride solutions and in solid state have been studied. The photoluminescence quantum yields of azomethines lie in the range 4.66–12.16%; for zinc complexes they decrease to 0.45–2.02%. The average photoluminescence lifetimes for azomethines and their complexes range from 2.00 to 2.87 ns. Azomethine, obtained from 2,4,6-trimethylaniline and dichlorosalicylic aldehyde, and its complex with zinc have significant protistocidal activity.