Synthetic analogues of netropsin and distamycin. V. Synthesis of a carbocyclic bis-lexitropsin as potential DNA cleaving agent.

A carbocyclic analogue of bis-distamycin, in which N-methylpyrroles were replaced by two trisubstituted benzene moieties joined by tetramethylenedioxy linkage, has been prepared. This compound bearing photosensitive benzotriazole moieties at the N-terminal residues. The synthetic method for the preparation of the bis-benzotriazolyllexitropsin was accomplished in twelve steps starting from 2-hydroxy-5-phenylazobenzoic acid.