Abstract: Solid supports carrying a photolabile linker of the 3'-methoxybenzoin type were prepared by a rapid solid phase synthesis method. Alternatively, the linker was preassembled in solution by a more lengthy procedure and then coupled onto polystyrene via its carboxymethyl handle. `Safety catch' linkers of this type are expected to play an important role for the preparation of combinatorial libraries suitable for a variety of miniaturized screening methods, where `reagentless' release of compounds from the carrier is crucial