The phosphoramidites of 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine (1a) and its bro
mo derivative 1b as well as of 6-aza-2-deoxyisocytidine and its 5-methyl de
rivative (3a,b) were synthesized. Parallel-stranded duplexes containing the
nucleosides 1a,b show a significantly enhanced duplex stability compared t
o those containing 2'-deoxyisoguanosine.