Nucleosides derived from urocanic acid: potential ligands for CG base pairs

A nucleoside analog based on imidazole-4-acrylamide (urocanamide) was synthesized and studied for its use as a specific ligand for a cytosine–guanosine Watson–Crick base pair. One- and two-dimensional 1H NMR experiments in methylene chloride at ambient and low temperatures not only indicate the strength of association but also confirm specific binding of the novel nucleoside to the base pair through the formation of two hydrogen bonds.