Nucleotides. Part XXXI. Modified Oligomeric 2′–5′ A Analogues: Synthesis of 2′–5′ oligonucleotides with 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine and 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine as modified nucleosides

A series of new 2′–5′ oligonucleotides carrying the 9-(3′-azido-3′deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine moiety as a building block has been synthesized via the phosphotriester method. The use of the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) blocking groups for phosphate, amino, and hydroxy protection guaranteed straightforward syntheses in high yields and easy deblocking lo form the 2′–5′ trimers 21 , 22 , and 25 and the tetramer 23 . Catalytic reduction of the azido groups in 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine]2′-yl-2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenin]-2′-yl-2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine ( 21 ) led to the corresponding 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)-adenine 2′–5′ trimer 26 in which the two internucleotidic linkages are formally neutralized by intramolecular betaine formation.