Physics

Isotope

Organic chemistry

Hydrogen

Deuterium

Tritium

Oligonucleotide

Hydrogen–deuterium exchange

Radiochemistry

Nuclear physics

Chemistry

Hydrogen isotope

Biochemistry

Nucleobase

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

A general approach for the efficient hydrogen-isotope exchange of nucleobase derivatives is described. Catalyzed by ruthenium nanoparticles, using mild reaction conditions, and involving either D2 or T2 as isotopic sources, this reaction possesses a wide substrate scope and a high solvent tolerability. This novel method facilitates the access to essential diagnostic tools in drug discovery and development: tritiated pharmaceuticals with high specific activities and deuterated oligonucleotides suitable for use as internal standards during LC-MS quantification.

Efficient Access to Deuterated and Tritiated Nucleobase Pharmaceuticals and Oligonucleotides using Hydrogen‐Isotope Exchange