A pestle and mortar-assisted solvent-free condensation of salicylaldehyde and 2-aminopyridine efficiently afforded a NO donor Schiff base ligand in high yield. This is an environmentally benign method, as satisfactory results were obtained in solvent free conditions with excellent yields, short reaction time, and operational simplicity in the experimental procedure. Copper(II) complex of this ligand were synthesized. Schiff base ligand and its complex were characterized by their melting point, elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectra. In addition, DNA-binding properties of the metal complex were investigated using absorption spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation methods. The DNA photoclevage experiment shows that, the complex act as effective DNA cleavage agent.