Oligonucleotide synthesis on a cellulose acetate functionalized with a spacer.

4-(2-Hydroxyethylsulfonyl)dihydrocinnamate derivative of cellulose acetate (D.S. 1.77) was used for polymer support synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing a phosphodiester function at the 3'-terminal position, taking into consideration that the cellulose derivative is readily soluble in pyridine, but slightly soluble in a solvent such as ethanol.