The binding of [Co(phen)2(HPIP)]Cl3 and [Co(phen)2(DPQ)]Cl3 to the oligonucleotide d(GCGAGC)2 containing two sheared G:A mispairs has been studied by NMR spectroscopy for the first time. For both the complexes, a considerable number of intermolecular NOEs were observed in NOESY spectra of the cobalt‐complex‐bound hexanucleotide. The results suggest that [Co(phen)2(HPIP)]Cl3, with HPIP, intercalates between the G3:A4 base pairs from the minor groove and extends to the major groove, and [Co(phen)2 (DPQ)]3+ binds to the terminal G5:C6 region from two directions. 31P NMR spectroscopy indicates that [Co(phen)2(HPIP)]Cl3 binding induces a change in the phosphate backbone in the region of the mismatched base pairs, while [Co(phen)2 (DPQ)]3+ does not cause obvious changes in the backbone. Melting experiments indicate that [Co(phen)2(HPIP)]Cl3 stabilizes the double‐strand structure, while [Co(phen)2(DPQ)]Cl3 cause the duplex to untwist. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)