The complexes [Ag2(OOC-(CH2)n-COO)] (n = 1–10) (1–10) were synthesised and reacted with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to yield derivatives formulating as [Ag2(phen)x(OOC-(CH2)y-COO)].zH2O (x = 2 or 3; y = 1–10; z = 1–4) (11–20) which are highly water-soluble and photo-stable in aqueous solution. The phen derivatives 11–20 exhibit chemotherapeutic potential against C. albicans, E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa and against cisplatin-sensitive breast (MCF-7) and resistant ovarian (SKOV-3) cancer cell lines. Cyclic voltammetric analysis and DNA binding and intercalation studies indicate that the mechanism of action of 11–20 is significantly different to that of their silver(I) dicarboxylate precursors and they do not induce DNA damage or ROS generation in mammalian cells. The representative complexes 9 and 19 (containing the undecanedioate ligand) were both found to significantly reduce superoxide and hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in the yeast S. cerevisiae.