Labile exocyclic amine protection of nucleosides in DNA, RNA and oligonucleotide analog synthesis facilitating N-deacylation, minimizing depurination and chain degradation.

The use of tert-butylphenoxyacetyl for N-protection of nucleoside bases during oligonucleotide synthesis facilitates its removal under mild conditions. This protecting group reduces depurination of deoxyadenosine residues, and minimizes premature desilylation resulting in chain degradation during post-synthesis workup of synthetic RNA.