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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Synthesis of Wavelength-shifting DNA Hybridization Probes by Using Photostable Cyanine Dyes
Published on: July 6, 2016
Photocatalytic [2 + 2] Cycloaddition in DNA-Encoded Chemistry
Dominik K Kölmel1, Anokha S Ratnayake1, Mark E Flanagan1
1Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States.
Abstract:
The on-DNA synthesis of highly substituted cyclobutanes was achieved through a photocatalytic [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in aqueous solution. Readily available DNA-tagged styrene derivatives were reacted with structurally diverse cinnamates in the presence of an iridium-based photocatalyst, Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)PF6, to forge two new C(sp3)-C(sp3) bonds. This transformation was demonstrated to have excellent functional group tolerance and allowed for the facile installation of a variety of heteroaromatic substituents on a densely functionalized cyclobutane scaffold.
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