The 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2′-ylthiomethyl)pyridine (L) ligand and its palladium(II) complexes [Pd(L)X]X (X=Cl, Br, and I) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic data acquisition. The ligand (L) was prepared by conventional heating as well as by microwave irradiation. Microwave irradiation shows additional features, including an easy workup, a much faster reaction and higher yields. The molar conductivity data reveal that the complexes form a 1:1 electrolyte in DMSO. The geometries, ground-state energetics and vibrational spectra of (L) and of its complexes have been elucidated, in terms of quantum chemical calculations. In the mononuclear complexes, the palladium atom is coordinated to three nitrogen atoms and one terminal halogen atom in a slightly distorted square planar arrangement. The present elemental analyses, FT–IR (mid, far), ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra are in good accordance with the square planar geometry around the Pd ion. The thermal behaviors of the complexes have been assessed by thermal gravimetric and differential thermal analyses.