Fluorous-tagged oligonucleotide reagents and an oligonucleotide
purification methodology making use thereof, the method comprising:
Synthesizing oligonucleotides using oligonucleotide reagents each bearing
at least one fluorous group to yield a mixture of synthesis products and
reagents, the mixture including at least one target synthesized
oligonucleotide bearing at least one fluorous group; passing the mixture
through a separation medium having an affinity for the at least one
fluorous group so that the target synthesized oligonucleotide bearing at
least one fluorous group is adsorbed by the separation medium; washing
the separation medium with at least a first solvent to selectively
dissociate therefrom substantially all synthesis products and reagents of
the heterogenous mixture other than the at least one target synthesized
oligonucleotide bearing at least one fluorous group; and subsequently
dissociating the at least one synthesized oligonucleotide from the
separation medium, with or without the fluorous group.