Lanthanide (III) complexes (Ln = Er and Yb) based on polypyridyl ligand: Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding activity and interaction with human serum protein in vitro

•Two Ln(Er and Yb) polypyridyl complexes were synthesized and characterized.•Various spectroscopic techniques have suggested the structure of the two complexes.•UV-vis and fluorescence spectra suggest moderate intercalative binding modes between the complexes and DNA.•Two Complexes displayed efficient oxidative cleavage of supercoiled DNA.•Both Complexes bind to HSA with a medium affinity through a static mode.