Abstract
(DEA) tC is a tricyclic 2'-deoxycytidine analog that can be incorporated into oligonucleotides by solid-phase synthesis and that exhibits a large fluorescence enhancement when correctly base-paired with a guanine base in a DNA-DNA duplex. The synthesis of (DEA) tC begins with 5-amino-2-methylbenzothiazole and provides the (DEA) tC nucleobase analog over five synthetic steps. This nucleobase analog is then silylated using N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide and conjugated to Hoffer's chlorosugar to provide the protected (DEA) tC nucleoside in good yield. Following protective-group removal and chromatographic isolation of the β-anomer, dimethoxytritylation and phosphoramidite synthesis offer the monomer for solid-phase DNA synthesis. Solid-phase DNA synthesis conditions using extended coupling of the (DEA) tC amidite and a short deprotection time are employed to maximize efficiency. By following the protocols described in this unit, the (DEA) tC fluorescent probe can be synthesized and can be incorporated into any desired synthetic DNA oligonucleotide. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.