The novel Pd(II) complex, [Pd(2)(micro-bzta)(4)].1.5DMSO (where bzta=benzothiazole-2-thiolate) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by element analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. In the binuclear complex, two palladium(II) are bridged by four deprotonated benzothiazole-2-thialate in a head to tail disposition and the distance of the two Pd(II) is 2.747 A. Three-dimensional structure of the complex was constructed though S...S (3.339 A) weak interaction and pi...pi stack. The binding of the title complex with fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA) has been investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectra. The results indicate that the complex bind to FS-DNA in an intercalative mode and the intrinsic binding constant K of the title complex with FS-DNA is about 1.2 x 10(4)M(-1). Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrates the ability of the complex to cleave the pUC19 plasmid DNA.