| Abstract: | The synthesis of oligonucleotides containing 7-(2-deoxy-β -D -erythro-pentofuranosyl)adenine (N7Ad; 1 ) is described. Compound 1 was obtained from the precursor 4-amino-1H -imidazole-5-carbonitrile 2-deoxyribonucleoside 6 and was found to be much more labile than Ad. The N6-benzoyl protecting group (see 8 ) destabilized the N-glycosylic bond further and was difficult to remove by NH3-catalyzed hydrolysis. Therefore, a (dimethyl-amino)methylidene residue was introduced (→ 9 ). Amidine 9 was blocked at OH? C(5′) with the dimethoxytrityl residue ((MeO)2Tr), and phosphonate 4 as well as phosphoramidite 5 were prepared under standard conditions. Phosphonate 4 was employed in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Homooligonucleotides as well as self-complementary oligonucleotides were prepared. The oligomer d(N7A)11-A] ( 11 ) formed a duplex with d(T12) ( 13 ). Antiparallel chain polarity and reverse Watson-Crick base pairing was deduced from duplex formation of the self-complementary d(N7A)8-T8] ( 14 ). |
