Precursors for use in the synthesis of polynucleotides are disclosed. The precursors include a heterocyclic base having an exocyclic amine group and a substituted or unsubstituted triaryl methyl
protecting group bound to the exocyclic amine group. In particular embodiments, the precursor has the structure:wherein:O and H represent
oxygen and
hydrogen, respectively,R1 is hydrido, hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl, lower
alkyl, modified lower
alkyl, or alkoxy,one of R2 or R3 is a hydroxyl
protecting group; and the other of R2 or R3 is a reactive group capable of reacting with a
reactive site hydroxyl,Base is a heterocyclic base having an exocyclic amine group, andTram is a triaryl
methyl group having the structure (V)wherein the broken line represents a bond to the amino
nitrogen of the exocyclic amine group, and R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from unsubstituted or substituted
aryl groups, provided that at least one of R4, R5, and R6 is an
aryl group other than phenyl and other than substituted phenyl.