5'-O-DMT-5-methyluridine

5′-O-DMT-5-methyluridine (5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-5-methyluridine) is a protected nucleoside monomer in which the 5′-hydroxyl group of 5-methyluridine is blocked by an acid-labile dimethoxytrityl (DMT) group.¹ ² This protection enables controlled incorporation into oligonucleotides during automated synthesis.¹ The underlying nucleoside, 5-methyluridine, is an important intermediate in nucleoside chemistry and antiviral drug development.²

 

Applications

 

5′-O-DMT-5-methyluridine is used in nucleic acid chemistry and antiviral research.¹ ² It serves as a protected monomer for the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides, particularly in antisense therapeutics. The DMT group allows compatibility with automated solid-phase synthesis while being selectively removable under acidic conditions.¹ In parallel, its parent nucleoside, 5-methyluridine, is a key intermediate in the synthesis of antiviral drugs such as stavudine (d4T) and zidovudine (AZT), and can be efficiently produced via enzymatic transglycosylation for industrial applications.²