Oligodeoxyribonucleoside methylphosphonates. NMR and UV spectroscopic studies of Rp-Rp and Sp-Sp methylphosphonate (Me) modified duplexes of (d[GGAATTCC])2.

1H NMR chemical shift assignments for the title compounds were made for most of the 1H signals using two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (2D-NOE) data, which were also used to establish the absolute configuration at the modified phosphorus. The chemical shifts were similar to those reported [Broido, M.S., et al. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 150, 117-128] for the unmodified, parent, B-type duplex [d(GGAATTCC)]2. Differences in chemical shifts were mostly localized to the nucleotides on the 5'- and 3'-sides of the modified phosphorus. The Rp-Rp isomers exhibited UV-derived Tm values similar to that of the parent duplex. On the other hand, the Sp-Sp isomers generally exhibited lower Tm values which correlated with P-CH3--H3' (n-1 nucleotide) cross peak intensities and 31P spectral parameters. The combined data argue for increased steric interactions with the Sp-P-Me methyl group as the modification position is moved toward the center of the oligomer. All of the Tm results can be explained in terms of three factors which result from replacement of a phosphate by a methylphosphonate group: reduction of oligomer charge; electronic and other substituent effects; steric interactions.