Toward the development of solid-supported reagents for separation of alcohol-containing compounds by steric environment

The affinity of silicon for oxygen has long been exploited to preferentially react hydroxyl moieties in the presence of others. Here, we explore the ability of a variety of dialkylsiloxane-functionalized resins to selectively capture and subsequently, release alcohol-containing compounds based on the steric environment about the silicon and hydroxyl moiety. The devised reagents will be applicable to the separation of compound mixtures, especially for the selective enrichment of low abundant molecules such as bioactive natural products.