Abstract
Nucleobase building blocks have been demonstrated to be strong candidates when it comes to DNA/RNA-like materials by benefiting from hydrogen bond interactions as physical properties. Modifying at the 5' position is the simplest way to develop nucleobase-based structures by transesterification using the lipase Novozym 435. Herein, we describe the optimization of the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of the monomer 5'-O-methacryloylcytidine with the assistance of microwave irradiation. Variable reaction parameters, such as enzyme concentration, molar ratio of the substrate, reaction temperature and reaction time, were investigated to find the optimum reaction condition in terms of obtaining the highest yield.