Synthesis, crystal structures and the preliminary evaluation of the new dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene-based DNA/RNA binding agents

A series of water-soluble dicationic dibenzotetraaza14]annulenes have been prepared in order to examine their interactions with nucleic acids. Pendant water-solubilizing N-pyridinium, 4,4′-bipyridinium and N-methyl pyridinium moieties have been attached to the central core via linkers generated by direct N-alkylations and ester creating couplings, respectively. The crystal structures of derivatives equipped with 3-(N-pyridinium-1-yl)propyl and 3-(4,4′-bipyridinium-1-yl)propyl substituents have been determined. Interactions with ct-DNA have been studied and evidenced by means of spectrophotometric titrations with Scatchard analysis and thermal denaturation experiments.