A 16-membered tetraazamacrocyclic ligand has been synthesized by condensation reaction of 2-methyl acetoacetanilide with 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, and the metal complexes of the type [MLCl2] [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)] were prepared by interaction of the ligand with metal salts. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic studies. The mode of bonding and the overall geometry of these complexes have been deduced by elemental analysis, molar conductance values, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and ultraviolet- visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy along withmagnetic measurement studies. An octahedral geometry has been envisaged for all these complexes, while a distorted octahedral geometry has been noticed for the Cu(II) complex. The cyclic voltammograme of the Cu(II) complex exhibits a quasi-reversible one-electron transfer wave for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple. The low conductivity data of all the complexes suggest their nonionic nature. These complexes have also been screened against pathogenic bacteria and fungi in vitro as growth- inhibiting agents.