A general, direct, and high-yield synthesis of bis(salicylaldimine) zinc complexes from the ligands and Et2Zn is reported. This synthetic method is particularly valuable, not only because it allows the efficient preparation of salen-type complexes of zinc but also because it can be used to prepare bifunctional pyridine-modified zinc(LI) bis(salicylidene) complexes, which are potentially useful compounds for applications in asymmetric-catalysis and materials chemistry. The synthesis and complete structural characterization of a new series of pyridine modified zinc(II) bis(salicylidene)ligands is discussed.