Synthesis of dinucleotides with 2′-C to phosphate connections by ring-closing metathesis

Four different nucleosides with olefinic 2′-modifications were prepared; 2′-C-methylene, 2′-C-(propen-1-yl), 2′-C-allyl and 2′-O-allyl uridines, respectively. These were incorporated into dinucleotides with allyl phosphate or vinyl phosphonate linkages. Hence, six different dinucleotides were studied as substrates for RCM reactions, and from four of these, cyclic dinucleotides with connections between 2′-C and phosphorus of 3–6 atoms were obtained.