Synthesis of 6'-branched locked nucleic acid by a radical TEMPO-scavanged stereoselective mercury cyclization.

A 6'(R)-hydroxymethyl derivative of the locked nucleic acid (LNA)-thymidine monomer has been synthesized by a stereoselective mercury cyclization and subsequent use of TEMPO as a radical scavenger. This compound was converted to an azide derivative, which in a Huisgen-type [3 + 2] cycloaddition afforded a double-headed nucleoside with a triazole linking an additional thymine to the 6'-position of the LNA-nucleoside monomer.