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).