Three dinuclear complexes with the formulas [Cd2(L1)4(DMF)2(H2O)2] (1), [Mn2(L1)4(DMF)2(H2O)2] (2), [Cu2(L2)4(EtOH)(H2O)] 2DMF (3) (L1 = 3-(anthraquinone-1-diyl) benzoate, L2 = 4-(anthraquinone-1-diyl)benzoate), have been successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The characterization by thermogravimetric analysis, PXRD patterns and IR spectra of 1–3 was carried out. The oxidation state of the Mn(II) and Cu(II) atoms was confirmed by the magnetic studies. The Cu(II) complex has the activity for DNA cleavage. The supercoiled DNA was completely degraded to nicked DNA (72%) and linear DNA (38%) with 1 μg μL−1 Cu(II) complex for 2 h at pH 7.0. The DNA cleavage by the Cu(II) complex was likely to proceed via a hydrolytic degradation pathway.
