We report 15 new Cu(ii) complexes with tridentate NNO β-acylenamino ligands derived from 2-picolylamine and bearing up to three alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, or (pseudo)halide substituents. The structures of nine complexes were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes with an unsubstituted pyridine ring crystallised with a square pyramidal coordination sphere, whereas substitution of the pyridine ring led to a square planar coordination sphere around the metal centre. The solution structures and properties of the complexes were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. They were also tested for their cytotoxic effect on four human cancer cell lines. Two complexes were identified that were highly active with single-digit IC50 values, exceeding those of cisplatin by far. A tentative structure-activity relationship was proposed as well as topoisomerase I inhibition as a possible mode of action, while any significant interference with DNA and the level of reactive oxygen species could be excluded.