Abstract: A process is provided for the solid-phase synthesis of a peptide amide which comprises attaching an ?-nitrogen protected C?-carboxamide amino acid to a solid support by its side chain, removing the ?-nitrogen protecting group, assembling a peptide chain on said ?-nitrogen and then cleaving the assembled peptide amide from the solid support. Novel amino acid analogues, peptide amides and solid-phase supports are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oligonucleotide is provided. The process comprises the assembly of an oligonucleotide attached to a solid support, wherein the solid support is prepared by a process comprising polymerisation of a monomer which comprises a protected hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chain attached to a polymerisable unit wherein the protected hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chain contains from 2 to 10 C2-4 alkyleneoxy groups and wherein the hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chain is protected with an acid-labile protecting group, preferably an optionally substituted trityl group.

Abstract: A polymer support is provided which comprises protected hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chains attached to a cross-linked polymer wherein the protected hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chain contains from 2 to 10 C2-4 alkyleneoxy groups and wherein the hydroxypolyC2-4 alkyleneoxy chains are protected with an acid labile group. The acid labile protecting group is preferably a poly-aryl methane protecting group. A monomer and process for the preparation of said support are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is provided which comprises assembling an oligonucleotide bound to a solid support in the presence of acetonitrile; prior to cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support removing the acetonitrile; and cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support. The process is particularly suited to the large scale synthesis of nucleotides. The acetonitrile may be removed from the solid support by one or both of drying and by washing with solvents. Preferred washing solvents comprise trialkylamines.

Abstract: A reactor vessel for carrying out solid phase synthesis, particularly the solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides, peptides, and combinatorial chemistry is provided. The reactor vessel comprises two or more orifices spaced from one another through which liquids within the vessel can be discharged and has a mounting enabling the vessel to be rotated about an axis so that each orifice can be moved into and out of a discharge position. Each orifice is adapted for closure by removable filtration means which are secured to the vessel to filter liquids discharging through the orifice when the orifice is in the discharge position. Processes for replacing the filtration means and for solid phase synthesis employing the use of an agitator are provided.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is provided which comprises assembling an oligonucleotide bound to a solid support in the presence of acetonitrile; prior to cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support removing the acetonitrile; and cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support. The process is particularly suited to the large scale synthesis of nucleotides.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solid support material for carrying out a chemical reaction, said method comprising the following steps: (i) reacting an amino functionalised solid material with a carboxylic acid having at least two similarly protected amino groups to form amide bonds between them, (ii) removing protecting groups in a single step, (iii) optionally repeating steps (i) and (ii) one or more times using the product of the preceding step as the amino functionalised solid material, and (iv) connecting a linkage agent to at least some of the free NH2 groups of the product. The method increases the loading capacity of the solid support material. It is particularly useful in connection with peptide synthesis.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is provided which comprises assembling an oligonucleotide bound to a solid support in the presence of acetonitrile; prior to cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support removing the acetonitrile; and cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support. The process is particularly suited to the large scale synthesis of nucleotides. The acetonitrile may be removed from the solid support by one or both of drying and by washing with solvents. Preferred washing solvents comprise trialkylamines.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is provided which comprises assembling an oligonucleotide bound to a solid support in the presence of acetonitrile; prior to cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support removing the acetonitrile; and cleaving the oligonucleotide from the solid support. The process is particularly suited to the large scale synthesis of nucleotides.