<p>In this study, six novel Schiff base transition metal complexes were prepared utilizing well known condensation reaction with Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ transition metal ions. The reported complexes structures were elucidated through several spectroscopic techniques, magnetic studies, elemental analysis and thermo-gravimetric studies. DFT studies were assessed using B3LYP/ LanL2DZ level basis set with Gaussian09 software package that revealed the octahedral geometry for the complexes. In vitro antibacterial screening was executed against Gram +ve bacteria (<i>B. subtilis</i>, <i>B. cereus</i>) and Gram −ve bacteria (<i>E. coli</i>, <i>P. aeruginosa</i>) and the result demonstrates that the copper complexes were found to be the most potent. The antifungal activities divulges that the cobalt nitrate complex was the most effective antifungal agent. In silico molecular docking analysis unveils the cobalt nitrate complexes as the most proficient compounds against Human butyrylcholinesterase (4TPK), Mushroom tyrosinase (2Y9X) and <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> urease (1E9Z) receptors as least binding affinity was observed. Among all receptor proteins, the compounds displays highest proficiency against 4TPK receptor protein. Besides this, ADME profile uncloaks the drug like characteristics of the metal acetate complexes.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>