The present invention is related to compounds comprising six-membered rings capable of being incorporated into nucleic acids. Particularly, the six-membered ring is a derivative of cyclohexane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran or piperidine. These compounds may be used to build up oligomeric compounds. The invention is further related to uses of these oligomeric compounds for hybridization and as probes. In addition, methods for the detection of nucleic acids are provided wherein the oligomeric compounds are used.