Functionalized porous silica microspheres as scavengers in parallel synthesis

The use of solid scavengers in parallel solution-phase organic synthesis is an effective method for work-up and purification. Functionalized macroreti cular or gel-form polystyrene particles are generally used for scavenging a pplications, how ever these materials have some limitations. We have develo ped new scavenging reagents based on ultrapure silica microspheres displayi ng a variety of functional groups useful for sequestering impurities from r eaction products. These materials are easy to handle, have excellent mass-t ransfer properties, and are efficient scavengers in both polar and nonpolar organic solvents. The properties of these materials were tailored specific ally to fit the needs of a medicinal chemist employing parallel synthesis t echniques in current commercial equipment. Results are presented from head- to-head comparisons with conventional scavengers in tests designed to demon strate the versatility of these new materials.