In this paper, a new kind of chitosan schiff base and its zinc complexes were prepared. Chitosan schiff base (CS-DBSB) was obtained when 3, 5-Di-tert-butyl salicylaldehyde was introduced to the C-2 nitrogen position of chitosan. Its zinc complex of CS-DBSB (CS-DBSB-Zn) was also prepared. The structure and performance of physicochemical characteristics of CS-DBSB and CS-DBSB-Zn were examined by FT-IR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric (TG). The thermal behaviors of CS-DBSB and CS-DBSB-Zn were described. TG curves presented three events including water loss, decomposition of the polysaccharide generating a carbonaceous residue that burns at higher temperatures.