Oligonucleotide analogs with novel linkages

Claim 2

A modified oligonucleotide wherein said oligonucleotide contains a nucleotide sequence useful in binding a target substance, wherein the modification comprises substitution for one or more linkages between individual nucleoside residues of a linkage of the formula --YCX 2 Y-- wherein each Y is independently O or S and wherein each X is independently chosen and is selected from the group consisting of H; halo; alkyl (1-6C); carboxyl or an alkyl (1-6C) ester or alkyl (1-6C) amide thereof; --SOR or --SO 2 R, wherein R is alkyl (1-6C); --CN; and --CF 3 ; or wherein X is --(CH 2 ) 1-3 W wherein W is selected from the group consisting of a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine hydroxymethyl, --OCH 2 OCH 2 OH, --OCH 2 CH 2 OH, --COOCH 3 , --CONHCH 2 CH 3 , --COOH and CF 3 , or wherein both X taken together with the C of CX 2 form a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of ##STR13##

Claim 3

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein both X with respect to each --YCX 2 Y-- linkage are identical.

Claim 4

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein at least two linkages are said --YCX 2 Y-- linkages.

Claim 5

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein at least one --Y--CX 2 Y-- is --OCH 2 O--, or --SCH 2 O--.

Claim 6

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 4 wherein said --YCX 2 Y-- is --SCH 2 O--.

Claim 7

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 1 which is a dimer or trimer.

Claim 8

The modified oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein the --YCX 2 Y-- linkage is --OCX 2 S--; --SCX 2 O--; or --SCX 2 S--.

Claim 9

An oligomer of the formula ##STR14## wherein said oligomer contains a nucleotide sequence useful in binding a target substance, wherein each B is independently a purine or pyrimidine moiety, and wherein each Z is independently --P(O)O - -- or is --CX 2 --; and wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of H; halo; alkyl (1-6C); carboxyl or an alkyl (1-6C) ester or alkyl (1-6C) amide thereof; --SOR or --SO 2 R, wherein R is alkyl (1-6C); --CN; and --CF 3 ; or wherein X is --(CH 2 ) 1-3W wherein W is selected from the group consisting of a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine; hydroxymethyl, OCH 2 OCH 2 OH, --OCH 2 CH 2 OH, --COOCH 3 , --CONHCH 2 CH 3 , --COOH and CF 3 ; or wherein both X taken together with the C of CX 2 from a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of ##STR15## n is 1-200; each m is 0 or 1, and wherein at least one Z is CX 2 , and wherein each Y is independently O or S.

Claim 10

An oligomer of the formula ##STR14## wherein said oligomer contains a nucleotide sequence useful in binding a target substance, wherein each B is independently a purine or pyrimidine moiety, and wherein each Z is independently --P(O)O - -- or is --CX 2 --; and wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of H; halo; alkyl (1-6C); carboxyl or an alkyl (1-6C) ester or alkyl (1-6C) amide thereof; --SOR or --SO 2 R, wherein R is alkyl (1-6C); --CN; and --CF 3 ; or wherein X is --(CH 2 ) 1-3W wherein W is selected from the group consisting of a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine; hydroxymethyl, OCH 2 OCH 2 OH, --OCH 2 CH 2 OH, --COOCH 3 , --CONHCH 2 CH 3 , --COOH and CF 3 ; or wherein both X taken together with the C of CX 2 from a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of ##STR15## n is 1-200; each m is 0 or 1, and wherein at least one Z is CX 2 , and wherein each Y is independently O or S.

Claim 11

The oligomer of claim 8 wherein both X with respect to each CX 2 are identical.

Claim 12

The oligomer of claim 8 wherein at least one --YCX 2 Y-- is --OCH 2 O--, --OCF 2 O--, the pyran ketal, or --SCH 2 O--.

Claim 13

The oligomer of claim 8 wherein said --YCX 2 Y-- is --SCH 2 O--.

Claim 14

The oligomer of claim 8 which is a dimer or trimer.