2′-C-Methyluridine phosphoramidite: a new building block for the preparation of RNA analogues carrying the 2′-hydroxyl group

A new stereoselective synthesis of 2′-C-methyluridine was carried out. The preparation of the corresponding protected phosphoramidite suitable for the automated synthesis of oligonucleotides, including the regioselective protection of the 2′-hydroxyl group, is described here. This new modified nucleotide is expected to generate RNA analogues potentially useful in applications where proper RNA folding is required since the 2′-hydroxyl is conserved.