TLC for solid phase reactions

ORGN 822

Scott T Phillips, stphill@fas.harvard.edu, Katherine A. Zharkova, and George M. Whitesides. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
This paper reports a new method for monitoring chemical reactions on solid phase. The method is simple, inexpensive, and does not require labeling of resins or reagents. In addition, the method is sufficiently sensitive that resin-bound small molecules can be distinguished (and separated) when they differ only by a single atom. The method is based on the concept of diamagnetic levitation, and requires two small magnets and a solution containing a paramagnetic salt; no electricity is needed, and the device takes up less space than a hot plate. We anticipate that this device will become an indispensable tool both for academic laboratories and for pharmaceutical companies.