Selectivity and Mechanism of Action of Novel DNA‐Cleaving Sulfones

Abstract

A simple intercalating group like a naphthyl substituent increases the ability of unsaturated sulfones such as 1 to cleave DNA, as demonstrated by compounds 2 and 3. A selective attack on the guanine residue has been proven for 1. The mechanism of action of this class of compounds involves an alkylation reaction.