Schiff base 2-{[(2-aminophenyl)imino] methyl} phenol was synthesized from O-phynelendiamine and salicyldehyde. Metal Complexes of Cr(VI) and Fe(III) were synthesized from Schiff base and metformin. The synthesized transition metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as spectroscopic (IR, electronic) and thermal studies. IR spectral studies revealed the existence of the ligands in the amine form in the solid state. The magnetic and electronic spectral studies suggest an octahedral geometry for all the complexes. The metformin acts as a bidentate ligand and Schiff base of O-phynelendiamine and salicyldehyde acts as a tridentate ligand. Antimicrobial screening of the Schiff base, ligand and transition metal complexes were determined against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium.