Patent ID: 7345163

Claim:
A method for deprotecting oligonucleotides, said method comprising: a) providing a plurality of oligonucleotides, wherein at least some of said oligonucleotides are each linked to a single trityl or substituted trityl moiety hydrophobic separation function at the 5′ end; b) precipitating said plurality of oligonucleotides on a hydrophobic solid support by (i) adsorbing said plurality of oligonucleotides onto said hydrophobic solid support, (ii) drying said adsorbate on said hydrophobic solid support, and (iii) contacting said dried adsorbate on said hydrophobic solid support with an organic solvent; and c) removing said 5′ trityl or substituted trityl moiety hydrophobic separation function from said precipitated oligonucleotides by contact with a non-aqueous solution of acid in order to deprotect said oligonucleotides.