A new series of complexes of Ni(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), Hg(II) and UO22+ derived from 2-acetylpyridine-alpha-naphthoxyacetylhydrazone (HA2PNA) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (IR, UV-visible, ESR and H-1 NMR) as well as magnetic and thermal measurements. The data revealed that the ligand acts as neutral NO, NN and NNO or mono-negative NNO chelate. On the basis of electronic spectral and magnetic moment data, an octahedral geometry is suggested for Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and UO22+ complexes and a square planar arrangement for Cu(II) complex. The bond length, bond angle, HOMO, LUMO, dipole moment and charges on the atoms have been calculated to confirm the geometry of the ligand and the investigated complexes. The kinetic parameters were determined for thermal degradation stages of some complexes using Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger methods. Also, the ligand and its complexes were screened against antibacterial, antioxidant using DPPH radical and antitumor activities using in vitro Ehrlich ascites assay. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.