Synthesis and characterization of four new 2,6-dimethoxynicotinate (2,6-(MeO) 2 nic) copper(II) monomeric complexes [Cu(2,6-(MeO) 2 nic) 2 (py) 2 ] (py is pyridine), [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (Etnic) 2 (H 2 O)] (Etnic is ethylnicotinate), [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (Et 2 nia) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] (Et 2 nia is N,N-diethylnicotinamide) as well as of the polymeric complex [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (ron) 2 ] n (ron is ronicol) are reported. The characterizations were based on elemental analysis, infrared, electronic and EPR spectra. Crystal structures of two of the complexes have been determined. The copper(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (py) 2 ] has a distorted tetragonal-bipyramidal (4 þ 2) coordination environment. Both 2,6-(MeO) 2 nic anions are asymmetrically chelating. The Cu(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (Etnic) 2 (H 2 O)] is pentacoordinate in a slightly distorted tetragonal-pyramidal arrangement by two trans nitrogens, each of one Etnic, by two oxygens, each of the carboxyl group of one unidentate 2,6-(MeO) 2 nic and the axial position occupied by water at a longer distance. Antimicrobial effects of the complexes have been tested on various strains of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. While the 2,6-(MeO) 2 nicH alone did not influence the model bacteria growth, dimeric [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (H 2 O)] 2 and polymeric [Cu{2,6-(MeO) 2 nic} 2 (ron) 2 ] n have pronounced influence on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida parapsilosis.