A new, but old, nucleoside analog: the first synthesis of 1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine and its properties as a nucleoside and as oligodeoxynucleotides.

The first synthesis of 5-amino-3-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-one (1-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine) is described. The compound was converted from the known AICA-deoxyriboside. The tautomeric structure of the base moiety was determined by theoretical calculation to be a hydroxyl form.