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 antitrypano‐somal agents. Some of these compounds were active against Trypano‐soma 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‐cyanoben‐zylphosphonium ylide and terephthaldicarboxaldehyde.