Mixture-based synthetic combinatorial generation

Two major techniques are generally employed in solid-phase chemistry to generate mixture-based synthetic combinatorial libraries (SCL) of millions of compounds. Multiple functionalities at diverse positions within the library are incorporated either by mixing multiple resins or by using mixtures of incoming reagents. 

If combinatorial libraries consist of compound mixtures (e.g., after cleavage from the resin beads), a reliable analytical characterization is difficult. In this case the utilization of mass spectrometry for analysis is based on the prediction of mass distribution of the library. Computer-generated distribution profiles can be compared with the actual profile obtained from the compound library [93,94]. Evaluation of mass distribution detects synthetic problems based on incomplete coupling (shift toward lower molecular masses), incomplete deprotection, or unwanted library modification, such as oxidation, acylation, or alkylation (shift toward higher molecular masses). However, for a larger library of compound mixtures many different compounds will have the same molecular mass. This greatly complicates structural determination and even makes it impossible at a certain mixture complexity. 

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