This invention provides pH-responsive zwitterionic nucleotides and nucleic acids comprising said nucleotides, wherein said zwitterions are constituted from one or more anionic internucleoside linkages and one or more cationic moieties and said zwitterionic nucleotides further comprise either one or more hydrophobic moieties or one or more TEEs with the general structure (I) Hydrophobic element-pH-responsive hydrophilic elements (I).