Introduction of a lipophilic thioether tether in the minor groove of nucleic acids for antisense applications

Abstract A 2′- O -hexylthiotrityl adenosine phosphoramidite has been synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotide phosphodiesters and phosphorothioates. This tether has potential antisense applications, offers a convenient nucleophile for conjugation of various moieties that would reside in the minor groove, and may form novel tertiary structures.