Practical synthesis of 2'-deoxy-4'-thioribonucleosides: substrates for the synthesis of 4'-thioDNA

We report herein a practical synthesis of 4'-thiothymidine (15) and appropriately protected 2'-deoxy-4'-thiocytidine (16), -thioadenosine (27), and -thioguanosine (29) derivatives, substrates for the synthesis of 4'-thioDNA, from the corresponding 4'-thioribonucleosides. 2'-deoxy-4'-thiopyrimidine nucleosides were synthesized using a radical reaction of the corresponding 2'-alpha-bromo derivatives, which were prepared via 2,2'-O-anhydro derivatives. 2'-deoxy-4'-thiopurine nucleosides were synthesized using the same radical reaction of the corresponding 2'-beta-bromo derivatives.