The synthesis of two novel fluorescent uridine-2′-carbamate phosphoramidites is described. The reagents carrying fluorescent polyaromatic hydrocarbons 1-phenylethynylpyrene (PEPy) or 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (BPEA) are suitable for oligonucleotide synthesis. Prepared oligonucleotide conjugates show strong dye emissions at 401 and 485 nm, but low FRET rate when located in the oligonucleotide duplex. The dyes show considerable compensation of the usual carbamate duplex destabilization. The possible explanation of both effects is binding of PEPy and BPEA to the minor groove of the DNA duplex. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.