The synthesis and characterization of Co II , Ni II , Cu II and Cd II complexes with 2-furfuralsemicarbazone (FSC) and 5-methyl 2-furfuralsemicarbazone (MFSC) are reported. These ligands lead to the complexes: [ML 2 X 2 ] or [MLX 2 ] (L = FSC or MFSC) whose structures were determined using elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic measurements, i.r., far i.r. and electronic spectra as well as by n.m.r. FSC and MFSC act as bidentate ligands in most of the Co II , Ni II , Cu II and Cd II complexes. MFSC is a monodentate ligand in [NiBr 2 (MFSC) 4 ].