Vesicles of a novel single chain amphiphile with a rigid Schiff base segment: 3-cyano-N-benzylidene 4'-(hexadecylamino) benzylamine (CNBHB) and its cobalt and manganese complexes have been studied using the Langmuir-Blodgett films (LB films). The aggregation behavior of the vesicle and its complexes were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and turbidity measurements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed fusion of regular vesicles. String like structures were seen in the cobalt complex whereas no morphological changes took place in the manganese complex. Vesicular fusion could be due to the metal ions binding to the polar groups causing a partial destruction of the surface hydration shell. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.