Fluorous synthesis of minor groove binding agents related to distamycin

Abstract

Minor groove binding agents related to distamycin have been shown to target specific DNA sequences with high affinity. We report a new method for the preparation of these agents using fluorous synthesis in which the fluorous tag is located on what will become the cationic tail of the molecule. We demonstrate that fluorous synthesis yields both simple and complex polyamides in good yields and in high purity.