The synthesis, crystal structure and properties of [Cu(tmeda)(bdc)(H2O)2] n (1), where bdc2- (C8H4O4 2-) is the benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate dianion and tmeda is N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, are reported. The metal ion in 1 is coordinated by a chelating tmeda molecule, two monodentate bdc2- ions and two water molecules to generate a tetragonally-elongated cis-CuN2O4 octahedron. Each bdc2- ion bridges two adjacent Cu(II) ions to generate zigzag polymeric chains and the packing is consolidated by O − H···O hydrogen bonds. Spectroscopic and thermal studies of 1 are consistent with the crystal structure. Complex 1 shows excellent activity against four bacterial strains, Bacillus spizizenii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus.