α-Hydroxyphosphonate Oligonucleotides: A Promising DNA Type?

The synthesis of monomers (S)-1, (R)-1 and 2 derived from (5′S)-, (5′R)-2′-deoxythymidine-5′-C-phosphonic acids and 2′,5′-dideoxythymidine-5′-C-phosphonic acids was elaborated. The protection of the 5′-hydroxyl by the methoxycarbonyl group was a key step of the synthesis. Prepared monomers were used for the solid-phase assembly of several types oligothymidylate 15-mers (S)-3, (S)-4, (S)-5, (R)-4 and (R)-5 containing the chiral 3′-O-P-CH(OH)-5″ internucleotide linkage. Their hybridization properties with dA15 and rA15 were studied as well as their resistance against nuclease cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]