Abstract A new set of base protecting groups for cyanoethylphosphoramidite nucleosides and supports has been developed which decreases the post-synthesis time requirements. The traditional purine amide protecting groups, which require 8-16 hours at 55 C for deprotection in ammonia, have been replaced with the dimethylformamidine group. Oligonucleotides made with the new reagents require only 1 hour at 55 C or 8 hours at ...