Synthesis and photophysical properties of 8-arylbutadienyl 2′-deoxyguanosines

We have developed novel push-pull-type 8-arylbutadienyl 2′-deoxyguanosine derivatives, ABG (1a) and CBG (1b). These nucleosides exhibit strong solvent polarity dependent fluorescence emission at long wavelength (ca. 490-550 nm). These environmentally sensitive fluorescent deoxyguanosines are powerful tools for structural studies of nucleic acids and also in molecular diagnostics.