Abstract: Disclosed are new classes of phenanthridinium derivatives, most notably dihydro-imidazo-phenanthridinium (DIP) compounds. The compounds are prepared by the reaction of the middle b ring of a phenanthridinium core with primary amines to form the DIP compounds. This reaction can also be applied to other classes of starting compounds which comprise a 6-membered ring aromatic heterocycle having a ring nitrogen and at least one alpha hydrogen atom which can be reacted with a primary amine. Also disclosed is a method of using the DIP compounds for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: New classes of heterocyclic aromatic cationic compounds are disclosed, and in particular new classes of phenanthridinium derivatives, most notably dihydro-imidazo-phenanthridinium (DIP) compounds. These findings are based on the reaction of the middle b ring of a phenanthridinium core with primary amines to form DIP compounds (Formula A) or secondary amines to form 2-aminoalkyl phenanthridinium derivatives (Formula B). These reactions can also be applied to other classes of starting compounds which comprise a 6-membered ring aromatic heterocycle having a ring nitrogen and at least one alpha hydrogen atom which can be reacted with a primary or secondary amine.