A stereospeifically18O-labelled deoxydinucleoside phosphate block for incorporation into an oligonucleotide

Abstract
Fully protected diastereoisomers of deoxyguanylyl(3′ → 5′)deoxyadenosine stereospecifically labelled on phosphorus with oxygen-18 have been synthesized by oxidation of phosphite triester intermediates in the presence of 18O-labelled water. The diastereoisomers have been chromatographically separated and their absolute configuration at phosphorus determined. (Rp)-[18o]deoxyguanylyl(3′ → 5′) deoxyadenosine has been prepared by complete deprotection of the parent diastereoisomer of the Sp configuration. Methylation of the former compound permits assignment of the absolute configurations of the methyl esters of N1-methyldeoxyguanylyl(3′ → 5′)N1-methyldeoxyadenosine.