Visualizing functional group distribution in solid-support beads by using optical analysis

Abstract

By using optical analysis to visually slice through fluorescently labeled ArgoPore, glass, polystyrene, and Tentagel beads, it is possible to establish where the interior functionalization sites occur within these four resins. By detecting the fluorescence emission of the fluorophore functionalized beads on cross sections of each bead, the position of the dye moieties, and hence the functional-group distribution, are observed. This powerful technique is useful not only in evaluating the polymerization and amino-functionalization processes, processes that are relevant to the reactivity of resins during solid-phase synthesis, it also examines the effective concentration of the functional groups throughout the bead. Thus, this technique will provide information that is useful when predicting resin reactivity and behavior during solid-phase synthesis reactions.