The chemical synthesis of RNA, in contrast to that of DNA, poses problems due to fi) additional requirement of 2′-hydroxyl protection of the ribose moieties, and (ii) high lability of inter-ribophosphate bonds. Herein we report the synthesis and characterisation of N, O-protected ribophosphoesters 1 which are key monomeric derivatives in phosphotriester methodology for RNA synthesis. Both the isomeric 2′ and 3′-O-phosphates have been obtained and characterised. The utility of the t-butyl dimethylsilyl group for 2′-hydroxyl protection in the phosphotriester method is demonstrated by the synthesis of r(AUAU),r (UAUA) andr (CACA).
