Reusable solid-phase supports for oligonucleotide synthesis using hydroquinone-O,O '-diacetic acid ("Q-linker")

Reusable solid-phase supports for large scale oligonucleotide synthesis hav e been prepared by converting amino derivatized supports into hydroxyl supp orts. Rapid nucleoside attachment, via a Q-linker arm, was automatically pe rformed on the DNA synthesizer using HBTU and DMAP as the coupling reagents . All steps were suitable for automation and similar to 1.5 h was required to prepare the supports for reuse. Up to twelve consecutive syntheses of a 20-mer phosphorothioate were performed on a synthesis column.