N-(pyridine-2-ylmethylene)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine Schiff base (L) and its Cu(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by a set of chemical and spectroscopic measurements using elemental analysis, electrical conductance, mass spectra, magnetic susceptibility and spectral techniques (IR, UV–Vis, 1H NMR). Elemental and mass spectrometric data are consistent with the proposed formula. IR spectra confirm the bidentate nature of the Schiff base ligand. The octahedral geometry around Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) as well as tetrahedral geometry around Co(II) were suggested by UV–Vis spectra and magnetic moment data. The thermal degradation behavior of the Schiff base and its complexes was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of the Schiff base and its transition metal complexes was also theoretically studied using molecular mechanics (MM+). The obtained structures were minimized with a semi-empirical (PM3) method. The in vitro antitumor activity of the synthesized compounds was studied. The Zn-complex exhibits significant decrease in surviving fraction of breast carcinoma (MCF 7), liver carcinoma (HEPG2), colon carcinoma (HCT116) and larynx carcinoma (HEP2) cell lines human cancer.