1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition between nickel-ligated azide in [NiL(N3)] [HL = 3-(2-diethylamino-ethylimino)-1-phenyl-butan-1-one] and two different organonitriles furnished two new square-planar complexes viz. [NiL(5-phenyltetrazolato)] and [NiL{5-(4-pyridyl)-tetrazolato}]. Both the complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic tools and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Interaction with different biomolecules revealed that both complexes bind strongly to serum albumin proteins and show moderate catecholase-like activity by catalyzing the oxidation of 3,5-ditertbutylcatechol (3,5-DTBC). Identification of intermediates formed in catechol oxidation has been explored by ESI-MS spectrometry. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.