Synthesis of 1-phosphonoalkylidene and -arylidene derivatives of nucleosides

Synthesis and properties of ApA analogues with shortened phosphonate internucleotide linkage

A complete series of the 2 '-5 ' and 3 '-5 ' regioisomeric types of r(ApA) and 2 '-d(ApA) analogues with the α-hydroxy-phosphonate C3 '-O-P-CH(OH)-C4 ″ internucleotide linkage, isopolar but non-isosteric with the phosphodiester one, were synthesized and their hybridization properties with polyU studied. Due to the chirality on the 5 '-carbon atom of the modified internucleotide linkage bearing phosphorus and hydroxy moieties, each regioisomeric type of ApA dimer is split into epimeric pairs. To examine the role of the 5 '-hydroxyl of the α-hydroxy-phosphonate moiety during hybridization, the appropriate r(ApA) analogues with 3 '(2 ')-O-P-CH(2)-C4 ″ linkage lacking the 5 '-hydroxyl were synthesized. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy study on the conformation of the modified sugar-phosphate backbone, along with the hybridization measurements, revealed remarkable differences in the stability of complexes with polyU, depending on the 5 '-carbon atom configuration. Potential usefulness of the α-hydroxy-phosphonate linkage in modified oligoribonucleotides is discussed.

Temporary Protection of H-Phosphinic Acids as a Synthetic Strategy

H-Phosphinates obtained through various methodologies are protected directly via reaction with triethyl orthoacetate. The resulting products can be manipulated easily, and various synthetic reactions are presented. For example, application to the synthesis of aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) or kynureninase inhibitors are illustrated. Other reactions, such as Sharpless' asymmetric dihydroxylation, or Grubbs' olefin cross-metathesis are also demonstrated.

Study on reactivity and protection of the alpha-hydroxyphosphonate moiety in 5'-nucleotide analogues: formation of the 3'-O-P-C(OH)-C4' internucleotide linkage

The recently described epimeric nucleosidyl-5'-C-phosphonates (alpha-hydroxyphosphonates) represent novel nucleotide analogues that can be incorporated into chimeric oligonucleotides by the phosphotriester condensation method. In order to prepare suitable protected monomer(s) we have studied condensation reaction between protected 2'-deoxythymidine and 2'-deoxythymidinyl-5'-C-phosphonate, both as model compounds, in dependence on the nature of the 5'-hydroxyl protecting group. We have found that the O-acetyl group is unstable in the presence of TPSCl or MSNT used as condensing agents for activation of the phosphorus moiety. This instability negatively influences the scope of the condensation process. On the other hand, introduction of the O-methoxycarbonyl group gave excellent results. The O-methoxycarbonyl group does not participate in the condensation process, and its quantitative introduction into the nucleotide analo gues is accomplished using a novel acylating agent, methoxycarbonyl tetrazole.

UV spectroscopy study on complexes of phosphonate ApA analogs with poly(U): promising step in prediction of oligonucleotide analog properties?

The isopolar nonisosteric phosphonate analogs of ApA differing in the position of extra methylene group introduced into the sugar-phosphate backbone, featuring both possible 2',5'- and 3',5'- pairs as well as their conformationally restricted congeners, were investigated for their ability to form complexes with polyU. The results may lead to the specification of candidates for synthesis of novel oligonucleotides.