Synthetic models related to deoxyribonucleic acid base–psoralen interactions. Syntheses and studies of bichromophore systems containing psoralen moieties

Abstract

The syntheses of new bispsoralen derivatives (IIn) and (IIIm) are reported. The photophysical properties of these potential deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bisintercalating drugs are studied and compared with compounds (I) and (IV) where the psoralen moiety is linked with a DNA base. The singlet and triplet deactivation processes underline the role of intercalation in the photobiological activity of psoralen with DNA. Some attempts at complexation of compounds (IIn) and (IIIm) with DNA are also reported.