Patent ID: 7745614

Claim:
A modified polynucleotide having the structure: wherein T is a tether selected from the group consisting of: where n is from 2 to 20; and n 1 and n 2 are independently selected to be from 1 to 20; wherein n 1 +n 2 are usually not more than about 20; and y is from 1 to 7; and wherein T is optionally substituted with an alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or cycloalkylalkenyl group; R 3 is selected from an alkyl, usually branched or linear lower alkyl; hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, mercapto, alkylthio, —S(O) p R 6 (where p is 0 to 2), —S(O) p N(R 6 ) 2 (where p is 0 to 2); —OR 6 , —C(O)OR 6 , —C(O)N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 ) 2 , —N(R 6 )C(O)OR 7 , —N(R 8 )C(O)R 8 , and —R 8 —N═N—O—R 7 ; where each R 6 , R 7 or R 8 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and cycloalkylalkenyl; L is an activated leaving group selected from sulfonyl, carbonyl esters, para nitrophenyl esters, nitrophenyl esters, trifluoroacetyl esters, nosylate, brosylate, tosylate, perchlorate, triflate, and mesylate; Z is a fluorophore or quencher; A is a nucleotide of at least 6 bases in length and not more than about 100 bases in length; and R is OR 1 or O − ; wherein R 1 is a linear or branched lower alkyl.