Patent ID: 6384209
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for adding a sulfur group to an internucleoside phosphorous (III) linkage of an oligonucleotide, the process comprising contacting an oligonucleotide having at least one internucleoside linkage comprising a phosphorous (III) atom with a sulfur transfer reagent having the general structure: wherein:n is 3 or 4; each R is independently a lower alkyl group containing 1-6 saturated or unsaturated carbon atoms, an aryl, or an allyl group having 2-6 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl, aryl or allyl group may be unsubstituted or may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, acyl, acyloxy, alkoxy, carboxy, carbalkoxy, or amino for a time sufficient for sulfurization of the internucleoside linkage(s) to occur.