for the protection of the 2′-OH groups of ribonucleoside residues in the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides by the phosphoramidite approach en a solid support, using the acid-labile 5′-O-dimethaxytrityl (DMTr) group. This group is completely stable under the acidic conditions required to remove the 5t́-terminal protecting groups in oligonucleotide synthesis on a solid support, and yet is easily removable