A zinc(II) complex [Zn(DMPA)(2)(phen)]center dot 6H(2)O was synthesized from 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (HDMPA=C10H12O4), 1,10-phenanthroline(phen) and Zn(OH)(2), and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared radiation, molar conductance. Its crystal structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The complex, C32H42N2O14Zn, crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with cell parameters: a= 2.047 29(4) nm, b = 1.00 6 19(2) nm, c=1.812 94(4) nm, beta=112.986 0 (10)degrees, cell volume: V=3.438 06(12) nm(3), number of molecules inside the cell: Z=4, relative molecular mass: M-r=744.05. The crystal structure shows the zinc(II) atom is four-coordinated by two oxygen atoms from two DMPA(-) anions and two nitrogen atoms of 1,10-phenanthroline molecule. The interaction between complex and DNA was studied by EtBr fluoescent probe, and the results show that the complex interact with DNA by intercalative mode. CCDC: 793918.