An improved and general synthesis of monomers for incorporating trityl linker groups into polystyrene synthesis supports

A straightforward synthesis of trityl alcohols in which one of the aryl rings is substituted with a vinyl group is presented. The synthesis of the alcohols involves the direct addition of the Grignard reagent prepared from 4-bromostyrene to substituted benzophenones. These compounds are used to incorporate trityl linker groups into polystyrene-based organic synthesis supports. Both non-cross-linked and cross-linked (JandaJel™) polystyrene have been prepared using these monomers.