Synthesis of thymidine dimers containing a new internucleosidic amide linkage and their incorporation into oligodeoxyribonucleotides

The synthesis of thymidine dimers 5a,b containing a chiral carbon in the propionamide internucleosidic linkage is described. These new epimeric dimers were incorporated in oligodeoxyribonucleotides and the melting temperature (Tm) with complementary DNA and RNA as well as the resistence of the single strand against exonuclease were determined.