Chemistry of gas-phase sequencing: alternative bases.

The currently used base for gas-phase sequencing, trimethylamine, can be substituted by more hydrophobic tertiary amines without any problems. We used mainly N,N-dimethylallylamine and 3-(dimethylamino)propyne, both as aqueous solutions at constant temperature (40 degrees C). The advantages of these bases, which are liquids at room temperature, are their easy to regulate dosage, better stability and easier method of purification. The results of degradation with these bases are comparable with those obtained with trimethylamine.