A dinucleating ligand which promotes DNA cleavage with one and without a transition metal ion.

The dinucleating ligand L (1,3-bis[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]propan-2-ol) combined with metal ions efficiently cleaves DNA when M : L is 1 : 1 (M = Co(II) or Fe(III)) at pH 5.5–7.0, with free L being more active at acidic pH than when bound to Zn(II), Cu(II) or Ni(II) at neutral pH.