The influence of N6-protecting groups on the acid-catalyzed depurination of 2'-deoxyadenosine.

Kinetics for the acidic hydrolysis of several N6-substituted 2'-deoxyadenosines were studied in a wide pH-range. The proportions of the partial reactions proceeding via mono- and di-protonated substrates were estimated on the bases of the rate profiles obtained and the acidity constants determined spectrophotometrically for the monocations. The site of the initial protonation was established by the effects that trifluoroacetic acid exerted on the 15N NMR chemical shifts. The exceptional lability of the monocations of N6-acyl protected compounds is suggested to result from the preferred N7 protonation.