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 (II_n) and (III_m) 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 (II_n) and (III_m) with DNA are also reported.