Abstract Reactions between secondary amines and phosphorus trichloride (PCl 3) leads to the formation of the corresponding tris (dialkylamino) phosphanes or hexaalkylphosphorus triamides [HAPTs:(R 2 N) 3 P]. Treatment of silyl-protected 2′-deoxyinosine and acetyl- protected inosine with the HAPTs produced in situ, together with iodine (I 2), leads to the formation of N 6, N 6-dialkyladenosine and-2′-deoxyadenosine. In some cases the ...