1,4-Bis(4-guanylphenylethyl)benzenes as potential antitrypanosomal agents

A series of 1,4-bis(4-guanylphenylethyl)benzenes, including masked amidines in which the guanyl function is incorporated into a heterocyclic ring, were prepared for screening as potential antitrypanosomal agents. Some of these compounds were active against Trypanosoma rhodesiense in mice. The diamidines were prepared by standard methods from 1,4-bis(4-cyanophenylethyl)benzene which was obtained from 1,4-bis(4-cyanostyryl)benzene by diimide reduction. The latter compound was prepared by the Wittig reaction between 4-cyanobenzylphosphonium ylide and terephthaldicarboxaldehyde.