DNA sequence-specific ligands: XV. Synthesis and spectral characteristics of a new series of dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12)

Abstract

Seven fluorescent symmetric dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(n) capable of occupying up to one turn of the double-stranded B-form DNA have been designed and synthesized with the aim to develop DNAdependent enzyme inhibitors. The DB(n) compounds contain four 2,6-substituted benzimidazole fragments and differ by the length of the oligomethylene linker (n = 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12) between the bisbenzimidazole blocks. The formation of DB(n)–double-stranded DNA complexes and the localization of the ligands in the DNA minor groove have been confirmed by a number of physicochemical methods.