Synthesis of new benzimidazole linked pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates with efficient DNA-binding affinity and potent cytotoxicity

The synthesis of new benzimidazole linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates is described. Some of these conjugates show significant DNA-binding affinity and, a representative compound 4c shows promising in vitro cytotoxicity against a number of human cancer cell lines. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.