A new bis-N-carboxamide ligand (H2L) was synthesized from reaction of dibenzoylaceticacid- N-carboxyethylamide with p-phenylenediamine. The binuclear metal complex of the new ligand was prepared from Cu(II) salt. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, TGA, and LC-MS/MS spectroscopy. The stoichiometric ratio of H2L-Cu2+ was found to be 2:2 (L:M) by the use of Job’s graph. The photoluminescence properties of the ligand and Cu(II) complex was investigated in DMF solution. The ligand is highly emissive upon excitation at 291 nm. The coordination of the ligand to the Cu(II) ion caused quenching of the emission band along with the red shift. The Cu complex did not affect healthy cells at the dose administered, but showed toxic effects at concentrations close to the ligand, suggesting that the Cu complex may be a potential anticancer drug. In addition, molecular docking results indicate that amino acids Asp776 and Met742 generated π-Anionic and π-Sulfur interactions with the phenolic portions of the molecule. There was a π-sigma connection between the ligand and the amino acid Leu820, and a π-alkyl interaction between the ligand and the amino acids Val702 and Ala719.