A tridentate ligand L1 (N,1-di(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine) was converted into complex 2, copper complex of two picolinate anion. Ligand L1 was reacted with CuCl₂·2H₂O in presence of triethylamine and a facile oxidation of azomethine function to carboxylic acid was observed. The resultant complex 2 afforded superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and IC₅₀ value was found to be 2.60 mM in xanthine/xanthine oxidase nitroblue tetrazolium assay. This small molecule SOD mimic exhibited nuclease activity by cleaving pBR322 DNA oxidatively in presence of 2-mercaptoethanol.