Amide isosteres in structure-activity studies of antibacterial minor groove binders

► Synthesis of novel N-branched alkyl minor groove binders. ► Synthesis of minor groove binders containing diazene moiety. ► Molecular modelling study of the interaction between minor groove binders and DNA. ► Biological evaluation of these minor groove binders and their effects against gram positive bacteria and fungi. ► Physicochemical properties [using electrophoreses and melting experiments] of these compounds were also studied.