Phototriggers for nucleobases with improved photochemical properties.

Synthesis and photochemical properties of new photoremovable protecting groups for nucleobases are described. Four caged 2'-deoxycytidines (dCs) were synthesized, and their photochemical properties were measured under simulated physiological conditions. Two new coumarin-caged dCs show better photochemical and photophysical properties than those of the caged dCs having previously reported caging groups.