Abstract: A method of solid-state synthesis of peptides that provides a polymeric solid-state synthesis support, attaches a first amino acid to said support to form the first amino acid molecule of the desired peptide chain, attaches additional amino acids to form the desired peptide chain, characterized in that the polymeric solid-state synthesis support is a styrenic polymer containing at least 50 mol % divinylbenzene monomer units, the styrenic polymer being functionalized with chloromethyl and/or benzyloxybenzyl alcohol and/or amino moieties, and having porosity 60-90% and medium pore diameter ranging from 10 to 80 nm. A functionalized styrenic polymer is claimed.

Abstract: Furfural is separated from a dilute aqueous solution by contacting the solution with a polymer adsorbent which comprises porous crosslinked copolymers of styrene and derivatives thereof, having an internal surface area greater than 30 m.sup.2 /g and subsequently desorbing furfural from the adsorbent through contact with an alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.