Deprotection of RNA

A process for one pot deprotection of RNA comprising modified nucleosides, comprising the steps of:

• a) contacting said RNA with a mixture of anhydrous methylamine, triethylamine and dimethylsulfoxide in proportions of 10, 3, and 13, respectively, at room temperature for about 90 min under conditions suitable for the removal of nucleic acid base and phosphate protecting groups from said RNA;
• and
• b) contacting the resulting RNA from step a) with an anhydrous triethylamine.hydrogen fluoride at about 65° C. under conditions suitable for the removal of a 2′-OH protecting group.

A process for one pot deprotection of RNA comprising modified nucleosides, comprising the steps of:

• a) contacting said RNA with a mixture of anhydrous alkylamine and a polar organic reagent in predetermined proportions, at room temperature for about between 30 and 100 min under conditions suitable for the removal of nucleic acid base and phosphate protecting groups from said RNA;
• and
• b) contacting the resulting RNA from step a) with an anhydrous triethylamine.hydrogen fluoride at about between 50° C.-70° C. under conditions suitable for the removal of a 2′-OH protecting group.