Synthesis of 2-hydroxyethylsulfonyl-methyl-substituted polystyrenes and their application in solid phase peptide synthesis

2-Hydroxyethylsulfonylmethyl-substituted polystyrenes are obtained from Merrifield's chloromethylated, cross-linked copolymer, by treatment with sodium 2-hydroxyethylmercaptide in liquid ammonia, followed by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Boc-amino acids can be esterified with the polymer, using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in dichloromethane. Further condensations are possible via conventional procedures. Protected peptide derivatives, thus prepared, can be detached from the resin by brief treatment with a base. A high elimination rate was observed when the cleavage was performed with a 0.1 M solution of sodium hydroxide containing methanol and a limited amount of water. In the absence of methanol only trace amounts of the product were liberated.