Synthesis of a novel nucleic acid mimic: P-boranomethylphosphonate

A new type of non-ionic nucleotide analogue with a doubly modified internuc leotide linkage, P-boranomethylphosphonate, has been successfully synthesiz ed and characterized. Dithymidine boranomethylphosphonate 5 is the first ex ample of a P-boranomethylphosphonate compound; it is a highly lipophilic ph osphodiester analog, which is almost totally resistant to both snake venom phosphodiesterase (SVPDE) and bovine spleen phosphodiesterase (BSPDE). P-bo ranomethylphosphonates are expected to be promising candidates for mechanis tic, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.