Regiospecific Photocyclization of Mono- and Bis-Styryl-Substituted N-Heterocycles: A Synthesis of DNA-Binding Benzo[c]quinolizinium Derivatives.

Abstract

Regiospecific C-N photocyclization of mono- and bis-styryl-substituted N-heterocycles was investigated. We demonstrated that the C-N regiospecificity of the photoinduced electrocyclization is a general feature of ortho-styryl-substituted N-heterocycles comprising one and two nitrogen atoms. This phototransformation provides a straightforward synthesis of the pharmaceutically important benzo[c]quinolizinium cation and its aza-analogues. Noticeably, bis-styryl derivatives undergo only one-fold cyclization with the second styryl fragment remaining uninvolved in the cyclization process. Photocyclization products of monostyryl derivativatives intercalate into calf thymus DNA (ct DNA), whereas photocyclization products of bis-styryl derivativatives possess a mixed binding mechanism with ct DNA. The results can be used for development of novel DNA-targeting chemotherapeutics based on benzo[c]quinolizinium derivatives.