A novel isonicotic acid hydrazide Schiff base derivative N'-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-benzylidene) isonicotinohydrazide (DHIH) has been synthesized and developed as a high selective and sensitive colorimetric probe for Cu(2+) determination. Addition of Cu(2+) to the solution of DHIH resulted in a rapid color change from colorless to yellow together with an obvious new absorption band appeared at the range of 400-440 nm by forming a 1:1 complex. Experimental results indicated that the DHIH could provide absorption response to Cu(2+) with a linear dynamic range from 1.0×10(-5) to 1.0×10(-4)mol/L. The detection limit of Cu(2+) was 5.24×10(-7)mol/L with good tolerance of other metal ions.