A series of IIB group metal Zn(II), Cd(II) complexes with dithiocarbamate (dtc) ligand (HOCH₂CH₂)₂dtc have been synthesized in methanol solution. All the complexes M[(HOCH₂CH₂)₂dtc]₂L [M＝Zn (1), Cd (2); L＝2,2'-bipyridyl; M＝Zn (3), Cd (4), L＝1,10-phenanthroline] were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis and TGA. The TGA results show that all the final thermolysis residues of the above complexes are their respective metal oxides. Compounds 1 and 2 were also determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex 1 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with space group P2₁/c and parameters a＝0.72146(5) nm, b＝2.61720(18) nm, c＝1.59438(11) nm, b＝97.899(2)°, V＝2.9820(4) nm³, Z＝4, m＝1.133 mm^－1, D_c＝1.297 Mg•m^－3. The complex 2 crystallizes in a triclinic system with space group P-1, and parameters a＝1.0075(2) nm, b＝1.1580(2) nm, c＝1.1777(2) nm, a＝70.92(3)°, b＝85.71(3)°, γ＝81.02(3)°, V＝1.2822(4) nm³, Z＝2, m＝2.118 mm^－1, D_c＝1.630 Mg•m^－3.

Key words: IIB group transition metal, dithiocarbamate, metal-thiolate complex, crystal structure, thermogravimetric analysis