Novel compounds are provided which are useful as linking groups in
chemical synthesis, preferably in the solid phase synthesis of
oligonucleotides and polypeptides. These compounds are generally
photolabile and comprise protecting groups which can be removed by
photolysis to unmask a reactive group. The protecting group has the
general formula Ar--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--C(O)-wherein: Ar is an
optionally substituted fused polycyclic aryl or heteroaromatic group or a
vinylogous derivative thereof; R.sub.1 and R2 are independently H,
optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, optionally substituted
aryl or optionally substituted heteroaromatic, or a vinylogous derivative
of the foregoing; and X is a leaving group, a chemical fragment linked to
Ar--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--C(O)-- via a heteroatom, or a solid support;
provided that when Ar is 1-pyrenyl and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are H, X is
not linked to Ar--C(R.sub.1)(R.sub.2)--O--C(O)-- via a nitrogen atom.
Preferred embodiments are those in which Ar is a fused polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon and in which the substituents on Ar, R.sub.1 and
R.sub.2 are electron donating groups. A particularly preferred protecting
group is the "PYMOC" protecting group, pyrenylmethyloxycarbonyl, where Ar
is pyrenyl and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are H. Also provided is a method of
forming, from component molecules, a plurality of compounds on a support,
each compound occupying a separate predefined region of the support,
using the protected compounds described above.