Abstract: Combinatorial libraries of labeled biochemical compounds and methods for producing such combinatorial libraries comprising the steps of producing labeled individual units, combining at least two of the labeled individual units so as to produce a labeled biochemical compound, and repeating this process at least once so as to produce a combinatorial library of labeled biochemical compounds. Also, methods for determining the conformation of a biochemical compound which comprise producing a combinatorial library of labeled biochemical compounds, contacting the combinatorial library of labeled biochemical compounds with a target receptor molecule so that a selected labeled biochemical compound binds to the target receptor molecule, and determining the conformation of the selected labeled biochemical compound when bound to the receptor molecule.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating highly diverse mixtures of compounds which may be screened for biological activities. Once the activity is found, the component of the mixture which is responsible for the activity can be isolated by fractionation and assay for the biological activity. Polyhydroxylated organic monomers and oligomers are used as starting materials for generating the libraries.