Squaramide-Naphthalimide Conjugates as Potential Self-Assembled Materials and as DNA Binders

This thesis entitled ‘Squaramide-Naphthalimide Conjugates as Potential Self-Assembled Materials and as DNA Binders’ is divided in 7 chapters. Chapter 1 presents an introduction to DNA, its function and structure. Various DNA binders were introduced in this section, specifically currently studied naphthalimides as DNA intercalators, with potential as possible treatments for various types of cancers. The H-bonding ability of squaramide and its potential as a DNA binder to the negatively charged sugar phosphate backbone was discussed. Bis-intercalators were also described in detail and their strong DNA bis-intercalating ability was also discussed. The proposed target bis-intercalators were introduced, with multiple modes of binding to DNA, where the naphthalimide moieties would bis-intercalate into DNA, while the squaramide would bind to the negatively charged sugar phosphate backbone of DNA. In Chapter 2, the design and synthesis of novel compounds are discussed. The syntheses of the desired compounds, the challenges encountered during synthesis and the change in the design of the desired compounds was also described. Each compound was characterised with room temperature NMR and it was concluded that after VT-NMR studies were performed, which clearly indicated self-assembly properties of these novel compounds. Chapter 3 describes the self-assembly properties of the novel squaramide containing bis-naphthalimides, which will involve various techniques including VT-NMR, UV absorbance time studies, extinction coefficient studies and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Chapter 4 discusses the possible DNA binding ability of the novel synthesised compounds using UV-Vis absorbance, fluorescence and Ethidium Bromide Assays. Chapter 5 gives an overall conclusion of the entire work carried out in this research and also provides a perspective with the ideas for future work. Chapter 6 contains the general experimental procedures including the synthesis and detailed characterisation of each of the synthesised compounds. Chapter 7, the Appendix section contains all supporting information.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Grundzi, Ales

Language dc:language

en