Polymer support synthesis

Non-porous silica gel microbeads of diameter 1.5 microns have been investigated as supports for oligonucleotide synthesis. In the preparation of oligothymidylates of chain length up to 150 bases, with 5'-di-p-anisylphenylmethyl-3'-phosphoramidite as an intermediate, the average yields per chain elongation were up to 99%. Lower overall yields were observed in the case of a support which developed a strong tendency towards aggregation after the build up of an oligonucleotide coating.