The sulfur-nitrogen donor ligand, 1-acetylferrocenehydrazinecarbothioamide (L 1 H) and oxygen-nitrogen donor ligand, 1-acetylferrocenehydrazinecarboxamide (L 2 H) have been synthesized by condensation of 1-acetylferrocene with corresponding hydrazinecarbothioamide and hydrazinecarboxamide, respectively. The structure determination of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes was performed by elemental analysis, melting point determinations, conductivity measurements, molecular weight determinations, IR, 1 H NMR and UV spectral studies. Based on these studies the square planar environment around the metal atoms has been proposed. Studies were also conducted to assess the comparative growth-inhibiting potential of the synthesized complexes and the azomethines against a variety of fungal and bacterial strains.