a very efficient intramolecular acid–base catalysis generating quinone-imine-methide intermediates. Transetherification reactions (i.e., transformation of methyl ethers into isopropyl ethers) are also observed. The reactivity with DNA is studied. Covalent binding to calf-thymus DNA is evidenced by UV–visible analysis of the modified DNA pellets. Ratios of 1 drug bound per 14 base pairs for the 3-methylamino