Discovery of Photoexcited 2-Chloro-3,5-Dinitrobenzoic Acid as a Chemical Deprenylase of iA RNA.

RNA modifications play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and cellular homeostasis. Modulating RNA modifications, particularly by targeting the enzymes responsible for their catalysis, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, limitations, such as the lack of identified modifying enzymes and compensatory mechanisms, hinder targeted interventions.

Selective Methylation of Nucleosides via an Generated Methyl Oxonium.

A very mild and efficient procedure has been developed for the preparation of -methylated uridine, pseudouridine, guanosine and inosine derivatives. This process was compatible with free hydroxyls within the ribose and did not require precautions on the protection or deprotection of other functionalities. The key to this extremely mild methylation without protection relied on the generated methyl oxonium from the Wittig reagent and methanol.