Bifunctional molecules containing macrocyclic polyamine [12]aneN3 and carbazol units, 1-4, have been efficiently synthe sized and fully characterized. Through gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering experiments, compounds 3 and 4b bearing both [12]aneN3 and carbazol moieties showed effective DNA condensation ability at the concen- tration of 80 jaM. Investigations from EB displacement fluorescence spectra, viscosity titration, and ionic strength effects re vealed that the effective DNA condensation comes from the appropriate combination of carbazol and [12]aneN3 units in the bifunctional molecules, and the DNA condensation process is reversible. The incorporation of triazole units in the molecules clearly reduced the cytotoxicity.
