Synthesis of a novel intercalator based on 2,2'-binaphthalene bearing dimethylammonium groups

A novel type of DNA intercalator, 8,8'-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)-2,2'-binaphthalene (1) based on 2,2'-binaphthalene skeleton, was prepared via homocoupling of 7-bromo-1-methylnaphthalene as a key step. The binding ability of 1 for calf thymus (CT) DNA was evaluated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic titrations and the melting temperature of CT DNA. The apparent association constant of 1 with CT DNA was larger than that of ethidium bromide (EB).