Abstract: | The synthesis of 5'-GpGpUpGpU-3' is reported to demonstrate the synthetic use of the 6-methyl-3-pyridyl group for the protection of the O-4 and O-6 imide functions of uridine and guanosine, respectively. The 2'- and 5'-hydroxyl functions of the key intermediates were protected with two acid-labile groups: 3-methoxy-1,5-dicarbomethoxypentane-3-yl (MDMP) and 9-(4-octadecyloxyphenyl)xanthen-9-yl (C18Px), respectively. The internucleotide phosphotriesters were protected with 2-chlorophenyl and the 9-fluorenylmethyl group was employed for 3'-terminal phosphate protection. |