5'-Dithiophosphoryl deoxyoligonucleotides: synthesis and biological studies

An approach for the synthesis of 5'-dithiophosphoryl deoxyoligonucleotides is discussed. It involves the reaction of O-(9-fluorenemethyl)H-phosphonothioate with a protected deoxyoligonucleotide and the oxidation of phosphorus with sulfur. Oxidation of the 5'-dithiophosphoryl moiety results in the formation of deoxyoligonucleotide dimers and deoxyoligonucleotides' cysteine unit.