P(III) vs P(V): A P(V) Reagent for Thiophosphoramidate Linkages and Application to an Asymmetric Synthesis of a Cyclic Dinucleotide STING Agonist
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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Chemical Triphosphorylation of Oligonucleotides
Published on: June 2, 2022
Bin Zheng1, Chao Hang1, Jason Zhu1
1Bristol Myers Squibb, Chemical Process Development, 1 Squibb Drive, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, United States.
Abstract:
A highly stereoselective synthesis of a cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) STING agonist containing two chiral thiophosphoramidate linkages is described. These rare yet key functional groups were, for the first time, installed efficiently and with high diastereoselectivity using a specially designed P(V) reagent. By utilizing this strategy, the CDN was prepared in greater than 16-fold higher yield than the prior P(III) approach, with fewer hazardous reagents and chromatographic purifications.
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