Solid-phase organic reactions: A review of the recent literature

Combinatorial chemistry has emerged as a powerful new technology for chemists to synthesise large numbers of compounds for biological evaluation. One of the techniques used in combinatorial chemistry is polymer supported or ''solid-phase'' organic synthesis. This article reviews the main chemical reactions reported between 1992-October 1995 using solid-phase support, focusing upon those suitable for synthesising small molecules. The reactions are presented in graphical format in a table according to reaction types. Examples presented include amide bond formation, aromatic substitutions, condensations, cycloadditions, diazotisation, enzymatic coupling, use of Grignard reagents, Michael additions, multiple component reactions, nucleophilic substitution, olefination, oxidations, protection/deprotection, reduction, immobilisation and cleavage. Finally, the information presented is evaluated briefly and some trends are discussed.