Synthesis of novel tetrazole C5-linked C0- and C2-ribonucleoside phosphoramidites using MePOM and POM groups for probing RNA catalysis

Novel C5-linked C0- and C2-tetrazole ribonucleoside phosphoramidites were designed and synthesized via tetrazole C-nucleosides. Pivaloyloxymethyl (POM) and methyl-substituted POM (MePOM) groups were introduced as N-protecting groups in the tetrazole ring that can be readily removed under mild basic conditions. The phosphoramidites were successfully incorporated into the VS ribozyme substrate and hence providing a chemogenetic approach to determine which nucleobases of ribozymes function as the acid or base, in the studies of ribozyme general acid and base catalysis.