Nucleosidyl-O-Methylphosphonates: A Pool of Monomers for Modified Oligonucleotides.

An unique set of 5′-O- and 3′-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of four natural 2′-deoxyribonucleosides, 1-(2-deoxy-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine, 5′-O- and 2′-O-phosphonomethyl derivatives of 1-(3-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)thymine, and 1-(3-deoxy-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)thymine has been synthesized as a pool of monomers for the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. The phosphonate moiety was protected with 4-methoxy-1-oxido-2-pyridylmethyl ester group, serving also as an intramolecular catalyst in the coupling step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]