2-Methoxy-6-(5-H/methyl/chloro/nitro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenols (HLx; x = 1-4, respectively) ligands and HL1 complexes with Fe(NO3)(3), Cu(NO3)(2), AgNO3 and Zn(NO3)(2) were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the compounds were confirmed based on elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, FT-IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR. The antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the free ligands, their hydrochloride salts and the complexes were evaluated using the disk diffusion method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the dilution method, respectively, against 9 bacteria. HL1 and HL3, as well as the Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes, showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.