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A series of novel cytotoxic compounds, [Mn(cpt)2], [Zn(tpt)(H2O)2]⋅DMA⋅2(H2O) and [Cu(tpt)]⋅DMA (cpt = 4′‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, tpt = 4‐(2,4,6‐tricarboxylphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, DMA = (CH3)2NH), were isolated and characterized. The structures of these complexes were characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mode and extent of binding between fish sperm DNA and the complexes were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. These results indicate the ability of the complexes to bind to DNA with different binding affinities. The binding of the Zn(II) complex with DNA is stronger than that of the corresponding Cu(II) analogue, which is expected due to the z* effect and geometry. The ability of these complexes to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA was demonstrated using gel electrophoresis assay, showing that the complexes have effective DNA cleavage activity. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of these complexes were examined on HeLa cells (human cervix epithelia carcinoma cells) in vitro. The three complexes exhibit different cytotoxic effects and decent cancer cell inhibitory rate. This means that the structures and type of metal have a great influence on the activity of these novel complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]