The hydrated complexes 1, 3, 7 and 8 with the general formula (RCOO) 2 M.xH 2 O (where M = Zn & x = 6; M = Cu & x = 5,6) were synthesized by the reaction of sodium salt of 2,2`-diphenyl acetic acid or 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (RCOONa) with Zn(NO 3 ) 2 .6H 2 O or CuSO 4 .5H 2 O in an aqueous medium. The addition of methanolic solution of either bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to an aqueous suspension of 1, 3, 7 and 8 (produced in situ) result in the formation of mixed ligand products with the general formulae (RCOO) 2 M(bpy).xH 2 O (2, 4, 9 and 10) and (RCOO) 2 M(phen).xH 2 O (5 and 6). The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, FTIR and NMR ( 1 H and 13 C) spectroscopic techniques. The FTIR data suggested a bidentate coordination mode of the carboxylate ligand and complexes exhibited four/six-coordinated geometry in the solid state. The spectroscopic data also revealed the presence of coordinated water molecules in all complexes. 1 H and 13 C NMR data demonstrated the coordination between ligand and the metal in complex 1. The complexes were tested for their binding with salmon sperm DNA (SS-DNA). The DNA binding potential of the complexes owed to the presence of zinc metal and the nature of the incorporated ligand. The complexes showed a significant hypochromic effect and an intercalating mode of binding with SS-DNA. The complexes were screened against various bacterial and fungal strains to check their biological activity. All the complexes showed significant antibacterial activity but none of complex exhibit antifungal activity.