The 4-[N-Methyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]butyl Group as an Alternative to the 2-Cyanoethyl Group for Phosphate Protection in the Synthesis of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Abstract

The 4-[N-methyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]butyl group for phosphate protection in the synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotides has been developed to completely prevent nucleobase alkylation by acrylonitrile that could potentially occur upon deprotection of the traditional 2-cyanoethyl phosphate protecting group. The properties of this new phosphate protecting group were evaluated using the model phosphotriester 9. The mechanism of phosphate deprotection was studied by treating 9 with concentrated NH4OH. NMR analysis of the deprotection reaction demonstrated that cleavage of the N-trifluoroacetyl group is rate-limiting. The resulting phosphotriester intermediate 13 was also shown to undergo rapid cyclodeesterification to produce O,O-diethyl phosphate 15 and N-methylpyrrolidine 16 (Scheme 2). Given the facile removal of the 4-[N-methyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl)amino]butyl phosphate protecting group under mild basic conditions, its utilization in oligonucleotide synthesis began with the preparation of the...