Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with D-fructose and dinuclear complexes of Cr(III) with D-glucose, D-fructose, and L-sorbose are reported. Cyclic voltammetric studies of these complexes suggest their robustness over a wide pH range. Cr(III)-saccharide complexes are found to affect the structure of pSV2 neo DNA irreversibly. © 1994 Indian Academy of Sciences.