Microwave chemistry is a green chemical method that improves reaction conditions and product yields while reducing solvent amounts and reaction times. This paper deals with the synthesis, spectral and biological studies of germanium(IV) complexes with chelating hydrazones derived from 1‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethanone (F1) and 1‐(furan‐2‐yl)ethanone (F2) with isonicotinohydrazide (INH). The complexes have been synthesized under a microwave–green chemical approach and investigated using a combination of microanalytical analysis, melting point, IR spectra, 1H NMR spectra and 13C NMR spectra. Trimethylgermanium(IV)chloride and triphenylgermanium(IV)chloride interact with the hydrazones in a 1:1 molar ratio (metal:ligand), resulting in the formation of coloured products. On the basis of conductance and spectral evidence, a pentacoordinated structure for germanium(IV) complexes has been assigned for these products. The ligand is coordinated to the germanium(IV) via the azomethine nitrogen atom and the enolic oxygen atom. The free ligands and their metal complexes have been tested in male rats in order to assess their antifertility properties. Ligands and their metal complexes have also been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic microorganisms in order to assess their antimicrobial and pesticidal properties. Both the ligands and their complexes were found to possess appreciable antifertility activity and other activities, which have been discussed in brief. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.