Highly efficient G-quadruplex recognition by bisquinolinium compounds

Syntheses and telomeric G-quadruplex-DNA binding properties of novel bisquinolinium compounds are reported. This series exhibits remarkable efficiency both in terms of stabilization and selectivity, thus combining the performances of the most potent quadruplex binders reported so far. These bisquinolinium compounds then represent an ideal tradeoff between rapid synthetic access and efficient target recognition. The study also highlights important structural parameters that lead to the design of highly selective G-quadruplex binders.