Synthesis of RNA by the rapid phosphotriester method using azido-based 2'-O-protecting groups.

The azidomethyl and 2-(azidomethyl)benzoyl as 2'-OH protecting groups are reported for preparation of oligoribonucleotides by the phosphotriester solid-phase method using O-nucleophilic intramolecular catalysis. The procedures for the synthesis of the corresponding monomer synthons were developed and the usefulness of the application of 2'-O-azidomethyl and 2'-O-2-(azidomethyl)benzoyl groups was examined in the synthesis of different RNA fragments with a chain length of 15-22 nucleotides. The azidomethyl group was found to be more preferable for effective synthesis of oligoribonucleotides. Hybridization properties of RNAs toward their complementary oligonucleotides were examined before and after the removal of 2'-O-azidomethyl groups.