ABSTRACT. Reaction of the ligands, 3-methyl benzoic acid (mbH) and hydrazine with transition metal ions form the complexes of formulae, [M(N2H4)2(mb)2].H2O where M = Co(II) and Zn(II) at pH = 5-6, [M(N2H4)n(mb)2].xH2O where M = Ni(II), n = 2, x = 0 at pH = 5 and M = Cd, n = 1, x = 1 at pH = 6. The same acid also forms metal carboxylates with zinc and copper of formula, [Zn(mb)2H2O].H2O at pH = 6 and [Cu(mb)2].H2O at pH = 5, respectively. The IR spectra of the complexes show that hydrazine is present as bridging bidentate ligand and the carboxylic acid as monodentate bridging carboxylate anion. The electronic spectra, magnetic moments and ESR spectral data suggest the coordination number. Thermal studies show that cobalt, zinc and nickel complexes containing hydrazine, and carboxylates of copper, zinc on their thermal decomposition form the corresponding metal oxides in nano size in the temperature range 755-815 °C. The antibacterial and antifungal activity show that both activities of the complexes are higher than that of the acid and among the complexes, cadmium compound shows more antimicrobial activity towards bacteria and fungi.