A synthetic approach to 2-methyl-6,7-difluoro-8-hydroxyquinoline, a key intermediate, has been developed. 6,7-Difluoro derivative of 2-styryl substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline and its Zn(II) complex have been obtained. Effects of fluorine atoms in the benzene ring on photophysical properties of 2-styryl-8-hydroxyquinolines and their Zn(II) complexes have been studied