A novel Cu(II) complex based on the Schiff base obtained by the condensation of ortho-vanillin with gamma-aminobutyric acid was synthesized. The compounds are physico-chemically characterized by elemental analysis, HR-ESI-MS, FT-IR, and UV-Vis. The complex and the Schiff base ligand are further structurally identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction and 1H and 13C-NMR, respectively. The results suggest that the Schiff base are synthesized in excellent yield under mild reaction conditions in the presence of glacial acetic acid and the crystal structure of its Cu(II) complex reflects an one-dimensional polymeric compound. The molecular structure of the complex consists of a Cu(II) ion bound to two singly deprotonated Schiff base bridging ligands that form a CuN2O4 chelation environment, and a coordination sphere with a disordered octahedral geometry.