Amino-functional Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-Effective Glass Surface Modifiers in Solidphase Nucleic Acid Synthesis

Branched amino functional polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes (POSS) were prepared by using different stoichiometric ratios of two olefins: allylamine and vinyltrimethoxysilane. Amino-rich CPG particles were produced by direct silanisation with amino-POSS silanes. The parameters of surface morphology (total volume and size of pores) of the obtained supports were determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. Results from Scanning Electron Microscopy show that there is no alteration in surface chemistry and only modest changes in mechanical properties are detected. The POSS-modified CPG supports were demonstrated as effective scaffolds for the chemical synthesis of nucleic acids.