Nucleic acids U 0700Chemical Properties of 4,5-Di(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl (DECDO) as a Hydroxyl Protecting Group of the 2'-Hydroxyl Function in Ribonucleosides. -The DECDO group in uridine (III) is compatible with the DMTr strategy for the currently used oligonucleotide synthesis. Post-synthetic treatment with ammonia results in the conversion of the DECDO into the dicarbamoyldioxolanyl (DCBDO) group, cf. (X), which is more stable under acidic conditions than the DECDO group. These groups can be considered as typical protecting groups for the hydroxyl function as well as new protecting groups of the orthoester-type in nucleic acid and carbohydrate chemistry. The stability of the DCBDO group increases but this group remains removable under moderate conditions in alcohol/water solutions. The methoxymethyl and dioxolanyl groups in (III) are weak as secondary alcohol protecting groups, but can be used if mild acidic conditions are necessary. -(KARWOWSKI*, B.; SEIO, K.; SEKINE, M.; J. Heterocycl. Chem. 44 (2007) 2, 329-336; Dep. Life Sci., Tokyo Inst. Technol., Midori, Yokohama 226, Japan; Eng.) -H. Hoennerscheid 32-205