Oligonucleotides protected with N-(trimethylsilyiethoxycarbonyl) (Teoc) and P-(trimethylsilylethanol) (Tse) groups were synthesized and deprotected by a single ZnBr2 treatment. Teoc group stabilized dA against depurination. This strategy was applied to the synthesis of base-sensitive oligonucleotide prodrugs bearing S-acetyl-2-thioethyl (Sate) phosphotriesters. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.