Synthesis and reversible photoisomerization of photoswitchable nucleoside, 8-styryl-2′-deoxyguanosine

A novel guanosine derivative with a photoswitching property, 8-styryl-2′-deoxyguanosine was synthesized, and showed very rapid and efficient reversible E–Z photoisomerization upon illumination at specific wavelength. In addition, E–Z photoisomerization can be iteratively performed by alternate illumination with monochroic 254 nm and 370 nm light without any side reactions.