The present paper describes the synthesis, characterization and in vitro biological evaluation screening of different classes (ammoniacates, dioximates, carboxylates, semi- and thiosemicarbazidates) of Co(II), Co(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) complexes. Schiff bases were obtained from the reaction of some salicyl aldehydes with, respectively, furoylhydrazine, benzoylhydrazine, semicarbazide, thiosemicarbazide and S-methylthiosemicarbazide to give tridentate ligands containing ONO, ONS or ONN as donor atoms. The synthetic metal complexes are of various geometrical and electronic structures, thermodynamic and thermal stabilities, and magnetic and conductance properties. All complexes, except those of Cu, are octahedral. Some Cu, Co and Mn compounds have a dimeric or a polymeric structure. The composition and structure of complexes were analysed by elemental analysis, IR and (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopies, and magnetochemical, thermoanalytical and molar conductance measurements. All ligands and metal complexes were tested as inhibitors of human leukemia (HL-60) cells growth, and the most potent, the Cu(II) complexes, have been also tested for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Structure-activity relationships were carried out.