A novel tetradentate nitrogen donor [N 4 ] macrocyclic ligand, i.e. 3,5,13,15,21,22-hexaaza-2,6,12,16-tetramethyl-4,14-dithia-tricyclo[15.3.1.1(7-11)]docosane-1(21), 2,5,7,9,11(22),12,15,17,19-decaene, has been synthesized. Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with this ligand have been prepared and subjected to elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass, 1 H-n.m.r. (Ligand), i.r., electronic, and e.p.r. spectral studies. On the basis of molar conductance the complexes may be formulated as [M(L)X 2 ] and [Ni(L)]X 2 [where M = Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II), and X = Cl ) and NO À 3 ] due to their nonelectrolytic nature in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). All the complexes are of the high spin type and are six coordinated. On the basis of i.r., electronic and e.p.r. spectral studies an octahedral geometry has been assigned to Mn(II) and Co(II), square planar for Ni(II) complexes, and tetragonal for Cu(II) complexes. The antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its complexes, as growth inhibiting agents, have been screened in vitro against several species of bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi.