Nucleoside H-phosphonates. Part 19: Efficient entry to novel nucleotide analogues with 2-pyridyl- and 4-pyridylphosphonothioate internucleotide linkages

Synthetic and 31P NMR spectroscopy studies resulted in the development of efficient protocols for the stereospecific synthesis of a novel type of nucleotide analogues, 2-pyridyl- and 4-pyridylphosphonothioates. The underlying chemistry involves formation of the P–C bond via a base-promoted reaction of suitably protected dithymidine H-phosphonothioates with N-methoxypyridinium tosylate in acetonitrile, or with trityl chloride in pyridine, to produce high yields of nucleotide analogues with a 2-pyridyl- or 4-pyridyl moiety directly bound to the phosphorus centre.