Synthesis and photoactivity of a Pt(II) complex based on an o-nitrobenzyl-derived ligand

► A new photolabile Pt(II) complex was prepared with o-nitrobenzyl derived ligand. ► Photo-induced conversion of new Pt(II) complex was confirmed by UV-Vis and NMR spectra. ► Photo-induced nuclease activity for plasmid DNA. ► Photo-induced ability to distort DNA conformation. ► Photo-induced enhancement of cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma cells.