Synthesis of Nonnatural Oligonucleotides Made Exclusively of Alkynyl C-Nucleosides with Nonnatural Bases

Abstract

This unit describes detailed procedures for the preparation of nonnatural C-nucleosides comprising seven types of nonnatural nucleobases attached to 1'-position of 2'-deoxyribose through an acetylene bond with the β-configuration. In addition, derivatization of these alkynyl C-nucleosides into the corresponding phosphoramidites and the subsequent oligonucleotide synthesis are also presented. The processes are depicted in three parts. The first basic protocol deals with the synthesis of a key intermediate, 5-O-DMTr-protected 1-ethynyl-2-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranoside. The second basic protocol mentions the procedures of the preparation of nonnatural C-nucleosides by a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of the ethynyl intermediate and halogen-attached nonnatural nucleobases. The synthetic procedures of the corresponding nonnatural phosporamidites are also described. The third basic protocol presents the solid-phase, automated synthesis of nonnatural oligonucleotides composed exclusively of the nonnatural C-nucleotides.

Keywords: alkynyl C-nucleosides; nonnatural nucleobases; oligonucleotides.