Synthesis of oligonucleotides and related compounds

Abstract

Methods of synthesizing oligonucleotides via new intermediates on a cleavable support having an azidomethyl moiety are disclosed. The method comprises multiple reaction cycles, each of which comprises sequential coupling a nucleoside or oligonucleotide subunit on a cleavable support having an azidomethyl moiety and a nucleoside phosphoramidite or an oligonucleotide phosphoramidite, capping, oxidation/thiolation and deblocking; followed by orthogonal cleavage of the azidomethyl support while keeping all other protecting groups intact. The method can be used in combination with a support moiety for either solid phase or liquid phase oligo synthesis. The soluble support facilitates homogeneous reactions and efficient separations by simple precipitation. The methods also provide novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of oligonucleotide conjugates.