An efficient green synthesis of UNA-nucleoside-5′-triphosphates: A versatile synthon for RNA modification with broad therapeutic potential

Abstract

A facile, reliable, and an efficient “one-pot, two-step” method for the gram-scale chemical synthesis of UNA-nucleoside-5′-triphosphate, starting from the commercially available nucleoside-5′-triphosphate is described. The overall reaction involves oxidation of nucleoside-5′-triphosphate using sodium periodate under aqueous conditions, followed by reduction using sodium borohydride to furnish the corresponding UNA-nucleoside-5′-triphosphate in good yields with high purity.

Keywords

• Unlocked nucleic acid
• Green chemistry
• Therapeutic applications
• Oligonucleotides