In this paper, a copper complex ［CuL2］(PF6)3·H2O(complex 1) was synthesized using 1-methyl-4′-(p-tolyl)-2,2′,6′,2″-terpyridine hexafluorophosphate (L) as the ligand. The structure of the synthesized complex was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction technique, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of single crystal diffraction analysis show that the complex belongs to the monoclinic crystal system, the P1/c space group, and the unit cell parameters were a=1.273 15(10) nm, b=1.902 01(13) nm, c=2.109 55(17) nm, β=101.269(2)° and V=5.009 9(7) nm3. The XPS analysis result shows that the copper ions in complex 1 exists in the form of +1 valence. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the complex has good thermal stability. DNA photocleavage studies monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis shows that the complex cleaved DNA efficiently, which indicates that the complex has obvious potential biological activity.