exo-N-[2-(4-Azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzamido)ethyl]-dC: a novel intermediate in the synthesis of dCTP derivatives for photoaffinity labelling

An alternative route for the synthesis of a photoaffinity labelling (PAL) dCTP derivative is reported. This method involves the intermediacy of exo-N-[2-(4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzamido)ethyl]-dC. The latter is prepared from the coupling of known N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzamide, prepared in an improved three-step sequence, with an activated 4-triazolyl derivative of dU, followed by deprotection. 19F NMR spectroscopy proved extremely useful in following the synthetic transformations, and enabled control of any adventitious reduction of the azides.