Preparation and comprehensive characterization of three Schiff base ligands; with trimethoxy substitution (1E,1′E)-N,N'-(naphthalene-1,5-diyl)bis(1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methanimine, 1, with ortho-hydroxy substitution 6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(naphthalene-1,5-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2-methoxyphenol), 2 and 3,4-bis(((E)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylidene)amino)benzoicacid, 3 and their Ni(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Mn(II) complexes have been reported. Their spectral properties were studied in solution and solid-state by a combination of different analytical techniques; FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermal analysis. Diamagnetic and paramagnetic natures of the complexes were also determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements in solid-state. Promising photophysical properties were observed as; Amax. were recorded at 226 nm for 2; at 795 nm for 2-Ni, at 782 nm for 2-Cu, at 784 nm for 2-Co, at 702 nm for 2-Zn, at 784 nm for 2-Fe, at 702 nm for 2-Mn and at 289 nm for 3, at 786 nm for 3-Ni, at 797 nm for 3-Cu, at 746 nm for 3-Co, at 794 nm for 3-Zn, at 699 nm for 3-Fe, at 781 nm for 3-Mn; and Imax were also recorded at; 380, 490, 725 nm for 2 and 2-Metal; 375 nm, 510 nm, 725 nm for 3 and 3-Metal when excitated at 220 nm. Antibacterial activities against different microorganisms; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 70603, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43,300 (MRSA), Salmonella enteritidis ATTC 13076, Sarcina lutea ATCC 9341, Bacillus cereus ATTC 11778, and antifungal activities against Candida albicans NRRL Y-417 of the compounds 1, 2, 3, 2-Cu, 2-Fe, 3-Zn, 3-Fe were determined. Mutagenic properties of the compounds were also studied and according to the results 2-Cu and 3 have been found non-mutagenic in Ames test but also they have strong antimicrobial potential against pathogen microorganisms. For 2-Cu MIC values were ranging between 0.39 and 0.024 mg/ml and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.024 mg/ml) was determined against E. coli. The 3 numbered compound revealed strong antimicrobial activity at doses of ranging between 0.39 and 0.097 mg/ml and E. coli was the most sensitive bacterium against this chemical.