A method for electrochemical removal of acid-labile protecting groups on
an electrode microarray using an organic solution is disclosed. The
solution comprises a hydrazine derivative and a salt in an organic
solvent. The hydrazine derivative has at least one hydrazine group having
at least one hydrogen. The hydrazine derivative provides acidic reagent
when an electrode is active and isolates the acidic reagent to the area
around the active electrode. The salt is an organic salt or ionic liquid
having a concentration sufficient to provide electrochemical conductivity
under an applied voltage. During the applied voltage, acidic reagent is
generated, which removes acid-labile protecting groups thereby allowing
continued addition of monomers to build a custom microarray of
oligonucleotides, peptides, or other polymers.