Poly(ethylene glycol) α-hydroxy-ω-azido terminated

α-Hydroxy-ω-azido terminated-poly(ethylene glycol) is a heterobifunctional PEG derivative that can be used to modify peptides, proteins, or other bioconjugation chemistry applications. PEGylated materials have found broad use in drug delivery systems, virology, and immunology, as the incorporation of PEG improves pharmacological properties such as increased water solubility, enhanced resistance to degradation (protein hydrolysis), increased circulation half-life, and reduced antigenicity. In addition to PEGylation, this heterobifunctional PEG can also be used to form networks for tissue engineering or drug delivery applications due to its dual reactivity.

α-Hydroxy-ω-azido terminated-poly(ethylene glycol) features two distinct, terminal functional groups: an azide and a hydroxyl group. The terminal azide can undergo copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) or strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (spAAC), depending on reaction conditions and the identity of the alkyne. In addition, the terminal azide can be reduced to an amine in mild conditions for use in other coupling reactions. The free hydroxyl allows for additional functionalization or a secondary coupling reaction.