Propranolol dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and its complexes with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, electronic spectra, atomic absorption spectra, molar conductance, mass and 1 H-n.m.r. spectral data. Information on the stoichiometry of the complexes was obtained from the continuous variation method (Job's method). The thermal decomposition behaviour of PDTC metal complexes was investigated in a nitrogen atmosphere using TG and DTA techniques. The antimicrobial activity studies of the metal complexes have been recorded against the Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus brevis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans and Kluvyeromyces fragilis.