Synthesis and reversible photoisomerization of photoswitchable nucleoside, 8-styryl-2′-deoxyguanosine

A novel guanosine derivative with a photoswitching property, 8-styryl-2'-deoxyguanosine was synthesized, and showed very rapid and efficient reversible E-Z photoisomerization upon illumination at specific wavelength. In addition, E-Z photoisomerization can be iteratively performed by alternate illumination with monochroic 254 nm and 370 nm light without any side reactions. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.