A novel series of mononuclear complexes of the type, [M(L)(H2O)(2)] [M = Co(II) (1), Ni(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cd(II) (4), L = dipicolinate), has been investigated using various techniques, including elemental analyses, FT-IR, H-1- and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, powder XRD and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that the coordination of the dipicolinic acid to the metal ions involves two carboxylate O atoms, the pyridine N atom, and two water molecules. The pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and its studied compounds have been screened against microbial species. The findings show that the complexes have higher activity in comparison to the free pyridine-dicarboxylic acid.