Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of duocarmycin analogues incorporating the 1,2,11,11a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]naphtho[2,3-e]indol-4-one (CNI) and 1,2,11,11a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]naphtho[1,2-e]indol-4-one (iso-CNI) alkylation subunits

Efficient syntheses and a preliminary evaluation of 1,2,11,11a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]naphtho[2,3-e]-indole (CNI) and 1,2,11,11a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]naphtho[1,2-e]indole (iso-CNI), and their derivatives containing an anthracene and phenanthrene variant of the CC-1065 or duocarmycin alkylation subunit are detailed.