A novel Ru(II)-Schiff base complex has been synthesized by the interaction of ligand, 1,3-bis{[(E)-(2-chlorophenyl)methylidene]amino}-2-propanol, L with [RuCl2(PPh3)3]. The structure of ligand, L has been determined on the basis of X-ray diffraction while the geometry of the Ru(II) complex has been ascertained by FT-IR, 1H, 13 C{1H}, 31P{1H} NMR and UV–vis studies. The in vitro antitumor activity of these compounds was assessed by examining their ability to inhibit cell proliferation against human breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines. The results show a dose-dependent anti-proliferative effect and induction of apoptotic cell death in both the cancer cell lines, thus indicating pharmacological significance of Ru(II) complex against cancer