Cationic mu-oxo V(III) dimers of the type [V2OL4Cl2](2+) (L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, or 2,2'-bipyridine) are shown to interact very strongly with DNA and to lead ultimately to its degradation. Spectroscopic binding studies, electrophoreses, DNA melting temperature experiments, and other tests on the parent 1,10-phenthroline complex all yield results consistent with tight binding. However, the exact nature of the binding-i.e., intercalative, groove binding, electrostatic, or covalent-remains unclear. Resonance Raman spectroscopy is found to be a powerful method for studying the interaction of these mu-oxo V(III) dimers with DNA and shows that in frozen aqueous solution, the parent complex [V2O(phen)(4)-Cl-2](2+) undergoes initial aquation, followed by the reaction of the aquated species with the DNA. Once the V(III) dimer is bound to the DNA, redox takes place, leading to the formation of alkaline-sensitive lesions. Hydrogen peroxide is implicated as a partner in this redox event, based on the effects of the enzymes SOD and catalase.