Expanding the Hoogsteen edge of 2′-deoxyguanosine:: Consequences for G-quadruplex formation

The synthesis and self-assembling properties of 8-aryl-2'-deoxyguanosine derivatives are described. Our studies suggest that a properly placed acetyl group can increase the stability and specificity of the resulting G-quadruplex supramolecules by enhancing noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds and z-stacking.