A Tetraaza Macrocylic Ligand (H2L) and its complexes, [Cd(H2L)(OH2)(2)](NO3)(2)center dot 1/2OH(2) (I), [Co(H2L)(OH2)](NO3)(2)center dot 1/2OH(2) (II), [Cu(H2L)(NO3)(2)]center dot 3/2OH(2) (III) and [Ni(H2L)(NO3)(OH2)]NO3 center dot OH2 (IV), have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, H-1 NMR, UV-vis, FT-IR and mass spectroscopy. All results confirm that the prepared compounds have 1:1 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry, octahedral configuration and the ligand behaves as a neutral tetradendate towards the metal ions. [CdL(OH2)(2)] (V), [CoL(OH2)(2)] (VI), [CuL(OH2)(2)] (VII) and [Ni(H2L)(NO3)(2)] (VIII) were synthesized pyrolytically in solid state from corresponding compounds (I-IV). Analytical results of complexes (V-VIII) show that the ligand behaves either as a neutral tetraclenclate or dianionic tetradentate ligand towards the metal ions. The binding of H2L and its copper complex (III) to DNA has been investigated by ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. The experiments indicate that H2L and its copper complex (III) can bind to DNA through an intercalative mode. The H2L and its copper complex (III) exhibited anti-tumor activity against Ehrlich Acites Carcinoma (E.A.C) at the concentration of 100 mu g/ml. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.