Abstract (PDF) Graphical Abstract: A new synthetic extractive protocol for the synthesis of Cu(II) and Co(III) complexes of bis(2,2/-methylylidenephenol)diaminoethane (H2BMPDE) in a single simple step was performed. The obtained data indicated the formation of complexes with 1:1 molar ratio of metal:ligand, of distorted square planar and distorted octahedral geometries. In vitro antibacterial screening revealed that the complexes were active against clinically important gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, pseudomonas, and gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus). The synthesis of the complexes was optimized to make it more suitable and efficient for industrial scale production.