Modified-base and modified N3-(β-D-ribofuranoside) derivatives of the Y base exhibit subnanosecond fluorescence decays. Attachment of groups to the “unnatural” Nlbase position produces compounds showing dominant 7 - 10 ns decays. These spectral properties have been compared with those of the free Y base and suggest that the free Y base exists mainly as the N1-H tautomer. © 1988, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
