Dimidium bromide is an inhibitor of L-cell growth. Dimidium Bromide is used as an intercalating probe for nucleic acids.
Dimidium Bromide is used as fluorescent probe for nucleic acids and as interchelating agent.
The reaction involves the readily isolated intermediate iminochloride which undergoes facile cyclization only in presence of certain inorganic halide catalysts. The analogy to the Friedel-Crafts reaction is discussed.