A rapid deprotection procedure for phosphotriester DNA synthesis.

An equimolar solution of aldoxime and tetramethylguanidine at 70 degrees C removes both the base and phosphate protection from oligonucleotides prepared by solid phase phosphate triester technology. The rate of cleavage from the succinyl linkage commonly used for solid phase synthesis is also increased. The method is simpler, faster and more easily automated than existing methods.