Gene delivery compounds

Compounds having the structure: wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently a C0-12 substituent selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a heteroatom, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroatom substituted alkyl, heteroatom substituted alkenyl, heteroatom substituted alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl; where the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of: N, O and S; and where (A) is a single or double bond between N and R3. Further the C0-12 substituent is linear, branched or cyclic and optionally includes a pendant moiety selected from the group consisting of: carbonyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, amine, thiol, thioester, thioether, phosphate, alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, sulfonamide and alkyl halide. Further, compounds 6883, 6898, 6975, 7036, 7064 and 8496 are provided. A process is provided for activating gene transfer in a subject by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a gene transfer activating compound to a subject and delivering pharmaceutically effective amount of a vector containing a nucleic so that the nucleic acid is transcribed in a target cell of the subject. A process for activating gene transfer to a cell is provided. A kit for activating gene transfer is provided.