Acridine Isothiocyanates: Chemistry and Biology

Acridine derivatives are a group of pharmaceutical agents which have been the subject of considerable chemical investigation. The planar acridine chromophore allows the acridine skeleton to bind to DNA through intercalation and thereby inhibits a number of enzymes. The strong fluorescence properties of these compounds have led to their use as chemiluminiscent agents. Acridine isotiocyanates exhibited highly reactive isothiocyanato group, and this was especially marked in the synthesis of different types of biologically interesting compounds such as thioureas, thiocarbazides and various heterocycles. In this book, a series of novel tacrine pharmacophores were described and studied for their potential for development as neurogenerative drugs. From a biological point of view it is also important to note that naturally occurring isothiocyanates are already well known for their notable chemopreventive, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic and antitumor properties. The publication offers a new look at some missing points of knowledge in the broad field of acridine chemistry. This work was supported by VEGA grant No. 1/0001/13.