Synthesis and DNA binding properties of gamma-carbolinium derivatives and benzologues

The 5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole, 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinoline, 5H-benzo[f]pyrido[4,3-b]indole, and 13H-benz[5,6]indolo[3,2-c]quinoline heteroaromatic nuclei have been synthesized by the Graebe-Ullmann method by classical heating or under microwave irradiation. These tri-, tetra-, and pentacyclic compounds were transformed into the corresponding cationic derivatives by N-alkylation, and the DNA-binding properties of the resulting cationic systems were examined using UV-vis spectroscopy, viscometric determinations, and molecular modeling techniques. The tetracyclic cations were transformed into his-salts by means of a diethyl bispiperidine rigid chain and a more flexible polyamide linker, but the low solubility of these bis-salts made the study of their bisintercalating properties difficult.