A New Perylene Monoimide Derivative as Potential DNABinding Agent

Nowadays, inhibiting telomerase and consequent disruption of the telomeres via formation of small organic molecule based G-quadruplex DNA structures is extensively studied. The potential of curing cancer cells (preventing the replication) by the formation of G-quadruplexes is emerging as an efficient method. π-Conjugated perylene dyes are one of the most suitable small organic molecules that can bind to DNA to form G-quadruplexes. In the present research work, two perylene dyes, namely, aminododecyl perylene diimide (ADPDI) and aminododecyl perylene monoimide (ADPMI) were synthesized in order to explore their potential towards DNA binding. Especially, long alkyl chain attached amino groups have been induced at the imide positions of the perylene chromophore to increase the capacity of hydrogen bonding. The synthesized ADPDI and ADPMI dyes have been characterized via TLC, FTIR, UV-vis, and emission measurements. FTIR spectra support the structure of the dyes. UV-vis absorption spectra in dipolar aprotic DMF (for ADPMI) and nonpolar isoquinoline (for ADPDI and ADPMI) solvents show that the dyes are aggregated to some extent in solutions by forming a broad absorption shoulder in their absorption spectra. Keywords: Perylene diimide, Perylene monoimide, G-quadruplex, DNA binding