The complex of Zn[(phen)(dione)Cl]ClO 4 •H 2 O (where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and dione is 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) has been synthesized and characterized. The interaction of the complex with DNA was investigated using UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and electrophoresis measurements. The results show that the complex mainly binds to the double helix of DNA with intercalation mode and the binding constant K is 2.4×10 4 mol -1 •L. Moreover, the complex can efficiently cleave plasmid DNA at physiological pH and temperature. The cleavage occurs via a hydrolysis mechanism, which is showed by adding radical scavengers, rigorously anaerobic experiments, analysis for malondialdehyde-like products, and the hydrolysis experiment of BDNPP with a rate constant k obs of 5.3×10 -6 s -1 .