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Updated: May 5, 2026

Nucleoside Triphosphates - From Synthesis to Biochemical Characterization
Published on: April 3, 2014
Synthesis of DNA/RNA and their analogs via phosphoramidite and H-phosphonate chemistries
Subhadeep Roy1, Marvin Caruthers
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. subhadeep.roy@colorado.edu.
Abstract:
The chemical synthesis of DNA and RNA is universally carried out using nucleoside phosphoramidites or H-phosphonates as synthons. This review focuses on the phosphorus chemistry behind these synthons and how it has been developed to generate procedures whereby yields per condensation approach 100% with very few side products. Additionally the synthesis and properties of certain DNA and RNA analogs that are modified at phosphorus will also be discussed. These analogs include boranephosphonates, metallophosphonates, and alkylboranephosphines.
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