New approach to automated synthesis of oligoribonucleotides

The combination of 2'-OH protection in ribonucleosides by the p-nitrophenylethylsulfonyl (NPES) group with the 3'-(beta-cyanoethyl) (N,N-diisopropyl)-phosphoramidite function reveals a new approach to oligoribonucleotide synthesis. The corresponding adenosine and guanosine derivatives have been applied to automated solid phase synthesis with good success.