The optical and acid-base characteristics of BrPADAP and ClPADAP were studied in mixed water-ethanol and water-DMF media and in 10% ethanol medium in the presence of cationic, anionic and nonionic tensides. The composition, optical characteristics, molar absorption coefficients and equilibrium constants of the ML and ML2 complexes with zinc(II) ions were found by graphical analysis and numerical interpretation of the absorbance curves by the modified SQUAD-G program. Optimal conditions were found for the spectrophotometric determination of Zn(II) in the presence of 0.1% Triton X-100 or 1% Brij 35 in alkaline media with pH = 6.5-10. BrPADAP and ClPADAP are the most sensitive reagents (ε = 1.3-1.6 . 105 mmol-1 cm2 at 557 and 560 nm, respectively) for the determination of zinc with high colour contrast of the reaction (Δλ = 104 nm) and selectivity similar to that for the other N-heterocyclic azodyes (PAN, PAR, etc.).