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

By using optical analysis to visually slice through fluorescently labeled A rgoPore, glass, polystyrene, and Tentagel beads, it is possible to establis h 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 techn ique is useful not only in evaluating the polymerization and amino-function alization processes, processes that are relevant to the reactivity of resin s during solid-phase synthesis, it also examines the effective concentratio n of the functional groups throughout the bead. Thus, this technique will p rovide information that is useful when predicting resin reactivity and beha vior during solid-phase synthesis reactions.