Cellular uptake and remarkable photocytotoxicity of pyrenylter pyridine oxovanadium(IV) complexes of dipyridophenazine bases

► Pyrenylterpyridine oxovanadium(IV) complexes as photocytotoxic agents. ► Structure-activity relationship from the DNA binding and photocleavage data. ► Efficient pUC19 DNA photocleavage activity in near-IR light of 785 nm. ► Photocytotoxicity based on hydrophobicity, DNA binding and photoactivity. ► Remarkable photocytotoxicity of the VO2+ complex of benzodipyridophenazine.