A 2-trifluoromethylaniline
C-nucleoside was synthesized, incorporated
in the middle of an oligonucleotide, and mercurated. The affinity
of the mercurated oligonucleotide toward complementary strands placing
each of the canonical nucleobases opposite to the organomercury nucleobase
analogue was examined by ultraviolet (UV), circular dichroism (CD),
and
19
F NMR spectroscopy analyses. According to the UV
melting profile analysis, the organomercury nucleobase analogue showed
increased affinities in the order T > G > C > A. The CD profiles
indicated
the typical B-type helix in each case. The
19
F resonance
signal proved sensitive for the local environmental changes, showing
clearly distinct signals for the duplexes with different opposing
nucleobases. Furthermore, valuable information on the mercurated oligonucleotide
and its binding to complementary strands at varying temperature could
be obtained by
19
F NMR spectroscopy.