Interstrand cross-linking (ICL) forming oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) have been expected to ensure the inhibition of gene expression. In this communication, we report a highly efficient and selective ICL reaction to thymine using a 4-amino-2-vinyl-6-oxopyrimidine derivative.

Previously, we have developed a highly efficient and selective cross-linking reaction to the cytosine base at the target site of DNA using the oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) containing 2-amino-6-vinylpurine derivative (1). Based on these results, we have designed the novel cross-linking agents, which are pyrimidine derivatives having two hydrogen bond sites and vinyl group as a reactive moiety. In this paper, we wish to report the results to investigate on the synthesis of the pyrimidine derivatives having potential as novel cross-linking agents.