Abstract
The levulinyl group has been employed for protection of the 5''-hydroxyl group in the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides by the phosphoramidite approach, using the acid-labile 2''-tetrahydrofuranyl group. The hydrazine treatment was performed for 10 minutes in order to remove the levulinyl group on controlled pore glass. Four decaribonucleotides (AAAAAAAAAU, GGGGGGGGGU, CCCCCCCCCU and UUUUUUUUUU) and a heneicosamer (GCCUAGCUGAUGAAGGGUGAU) were prepared with an automatic synthesizer in good yields.