T4 RNA ligase was employed for the condensation of Escherichia coli tRNAPhe missing cytidine-75 and adenosine-76 (tRNAPhe-COH; the acceptor "oligomer") with each of several chemically acylated derivatives of pCpA (the donor "oligomer"). The resulting "chemically misacylated " tRNAPheS were obtained in 20-65% yields following chromatographic workup on DEAE-cellulose and benzoylated DEAE-cellulose. Characterization of the chemically misacylated tRNAs was accomplished by (i) enzymatic reaminoacylation of chemically misacylated tRNAPhe with phenylalanine by E. coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase following chemical deacylation of the "incorrect" amino acid, (ii) comparison of the hydrolytic effects of Cu2+ solutions on chemically and enzymatically prepared samples of N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl- tRNAPheS , and (iii) measurement of the chromatographic behavior of the tRNA species derived from chemical misacylation .