The preparation and examination of 4-7 revealed that (+)-5 and (+)-duocarmycin SA were indistinguishable. In contrast, 6 and 7 exhibited properties more analogous to 4 illustrating that the C6 and C7 methoxy substituents of duocarmycin SA contribute little or nothing to its properties. Thus, the C5 methoxy substituent of the 5,6,7 trimethoxyindole subunit of duocarmycin SA is necessary and sufficient for observation of the full potency of the natural product.