A post-synthetic approach for the synthesis of 2'-O-methyldithiomethyl-modified oligonucleotides responsive to a reducing environment.

Based on a novel concept, a Reducing-Environment-Dependent Uncatalyzed Chemical Transforming RNA, "REDUCT RNA", we established a post-synthetic approach for the synthesis of 2'-O-methyldithiomethyl-modified oligonucleotides from 2'-O-(2,4,6-trimethoxybenzylthiomethyl)-oligonucleotides by treatment with dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate. 2'-O-methyldithiomethyl oligonucleotides were easily converted into 2'-hydroxy oligonucleotides under reducing conditions, such as those found in the intracellular environment.