Stereo-Controlled Liquid Phase Synthesis of Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides on a Soluble Support

Abstract

5'-<i>O</i>-(2-Methoxyisopropyl) (MIP)-protected 2'-deoxynucleosides as chiral P(V)-building blocks, based on the limonene-derived oxathiaphospholane sulfide, were synthesized and used for the assembly of di-, tri-, and tetranucleotide phosphorothioates on a tetrapodal pentaerythritol-derived soluble support. The synthesis cycle consisted of two reactions and two precipitations: (1) the coupling under basic conditions, followed by neutralization and precipitation and (2) an acid catalyzed 5'-<i>O</i>-deacetalization, followed by neutralization and precipitation. The simple P(V) chemistry together with the facile 5'-<i>O</i>-MIP deprotection proved efficient in the liquid phase oligonucleotide synthesis (LPOS). Ammonolysis released nearly homogeneous Rp or Sp phosphorothioate diastereomers in ca. 80% yield/synthesis cycle.