Metal complexes with bis(aminophenolate) ligands are also known as salan-complexes. Two anti-tumor Ru(III)-salan-complexes induce apoptotic processes in cancer cells. A novel quantitative approach for DNA binding is applied to evaluate their interaction. The in vitro biological action depends on their phenolate ring substituent position. Effects on cell-cycle and organelle morphology differ for these Ru(III)-salan-complexes.