The UV-Vis spectra of 5-(4-X-phenyl)-azo-8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives (X = OCH3; CH3 ; H; SO3H; NO2 ) are investigated in ten organic solvents of different polarity in order to through light on their solvatochromic behavior. An interesting discussion for the effect of the substituent (X) and hydrogen bonding on the energy of the charge transfer transitions and proton-ligand dissociation constants of the investigated compounds is introduced on the basis of electron – repelling property. The different factors affecting the formation of La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Zr4+, Hf4+ and Th4+ complexes with the ligands under interest have been studied. The spectrophotometric and analytical characteristics of the formed complexes are determined.