Toward supramolecular ion channels formed by oligonucleotide analogs: Hydrophobic guanine dimers

In this model study toward supramolecular channels formed by oligonucleotide analogs, we describe the synthesis of hydrophobic guanine dimers 1–4. We found that the solubility of guanine dimers 1 – 4 is significantly reduced compared to hydrophobic (iso)guanosine monomers and independent of the nature of substituents at the exocyclic amine. This indicates that the (deoxy)ribose is important to form soluble, ionophoric G-quartets.