The ligand 1,4-dibenzoyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (DBtsc) forms complexes [M(DBtsc-H)(SCN)] [M = Mn(II), Co(II) or Zn(II)], [M(DBtsc-H)(SCN)(H 2 O)] [M = Ni(II) or Cu(II)], [M(DBtsc-H)Cl] [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II)] and [Mn(DBtsc)Cl 2 ], which have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, UV/Vis, IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR and FAB mass spectral data. Room temperature ESR spectra of the Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes yield values, characteristic of tetrahedral and square planar complexes respectively. DBtsc and its soluble complexes have been screened against several bacteria, fungi and tumour cell lines.