New mustard-linked 2-aryl-bis-benzimidazoles with anti-proliferative activity.

We describe new methodology for the synthesis of symmetric bis-benzimidazoles carrying 2-aryl moieties, including 2-[4-(3'-aminopropoxy)phenyl] and 2-[4-(3'-aminopropanamido)phenyl] substituents, together with the synthesis of novel hybrid molecules comprising bis-benzimidazoles in ester and amide combination with the N-mustard chlorambucil. The in vitro activities of these compounds against five cancer cell lines are also provided.