new iron containing acridine derivative was synthesized by acylation of 2-(3-aminopropoxy)-6-chloro-9-aminoacridine (II) with p-nitrophenyl ferrocenecarboxylate. This compound strongly interacts with DNA and might be suitable to be used for both fluorescent and electronic microscopy observations. In comparison with II and 9-aminoacridine, I displayed some interesting features due to the presence of ferrocenecarboxyl group. (1) Ferrocenecarboxyl group strongly diminished the UV absorption and fluorescence emission of I. The mol. extinction of I was about 1/5 of that of 9-aminoacridine, and the relative emission intensity of I was about 1/9 of that of II. (2) While the emission intensity of II gradually decreased with irradiation, that of I increased, the enhancement reached its max. at about 15 min irradiation, then decreased with irradiation (3) The NMR chem. shifts of the acridine ring protons of I moved upfield compared to those of 9-aminoacridine. (4) Compound I enhanced the Tm value of calf thymus DNA, but this enhancement was lower than that caused by 9-aminoacridine.

Key words: ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID, ACRIDINE P, NMR SPECTROMETRY, FLUOROSPECTROPHOTOMETRY, FERROCENE P, FLUORESCENCE PROBE