By directly addressing the separation problems inherent in the synthesis of small organic molecules, fluorous techniques provide an array of powerful solutions that span the discipline of organic synthesis from large-scale chemical processes through traditional fine synthesis to modern chemical discovery by combinatorial methods. The above Table summaries the four main fluorous methods outlined in this overview and compares and contrasts them. Fluorous methods are attractive and easy to apply because the experimental techniques (solution phase reactions, liquid-liquid extractions, solid phase extractions) are familiar to practicing organic chemists. What differs from standard organic techniques are the fluorous components that are used. The application of fluorous techniques has been limited to a few specialized laboratories due to the lack of availability of fluorous reagents, reactants, tags, solvents, silica, etc. However, a new company, Fluorous Technologies (see box) intends to change this by providing laboratories worldwide with both the materials and the expertise that are needed to integrate fluorous methods into their ongoing discovery and production projects.
