Small-molecule Heterobifunctional PEG

As a leading supplier of PEG, BOC Sciences offers a wide range of small-molecule heterobifunctional PEGs, and the groups of these heterobifunctional groups include amino, azide, silane, hydroxyl, ester groups and so on. Small-molecule heterodifunctional PEG is a kind of PEG with different functional groups, and the two ends of its molecular chain are composed of small molecule groups, which have different reactivity. The choice of functional groups depends on the desired application and the target molecule or surface. By using heterobifunctional PEGs, various PEG-based conjugates or constructs with specific functionalities can be created.

Fig. 1. Synthesis of heterobifunctional PEG (PLoS One. 2014, 9(10): e109475).

Features of Small-Molecule Heterobifunctional PEGs

Reactivity Diversity

Small-molecule heterobifunctional PEGs have different reactive groups at both ends of the molecular chain, and the appropriate functional group can be selected as needed. This enables the PEG to react with a wide range of molecules or surfaces in specific chemical reactions for precise conjugation or modification.

Controllability and Tunability

Since small-molecule heterobifunctional PEGs are designed to precisely control the position and density of two different reactive groups, the functional properties of the PEG can be adjusted on demand.

Drug Targeting

Small-molecule heterobifunctional PEGs can be conjugated with drugs to improve solubility, stability, and bioavailability, and achieve targeting to specific tissues or cells.

Functionalization

Heterobifunctional PEG can be used to modify the surface of materials to achieve functionalized surface properties. This can be used to improve properties such as biocompatibility, contamination resistance, and cell adhesion of the material, as well as for the construction of biosensors with specific functions, tissue engineering scaffolds, and other applications.

Examples of Small-Molecule Heterobifunctional PEGs

Amino-PEG36-alcohol

Amino-PEG36-alcohol is a monodisperse PEG linker containing amino and hydroxyl groups. The amino group (-NH₂) in amino-PEG36-alcohol can be used to chemically react or conjugate with other molecules, and the hydroxyl group can be involved in esterification reactions to form ester bonds by reacting with an acid or an acid chloride.

Galactose-PEG3-SCM

Galactose-PEG3-SCM provides affinity and selectivity for the galactose receptor by introducing galactose to the PEG chain. The SCM group is a thiol isothiocyanate group that can react with other molecules or amino or sulfhydryl groups on the surface to form stable thiourea or disulfide bonds.

Propargyl-PEG24-amine

Propargyl-PEG24-amine is a small molecule compound with a propargyl group and an amine group. Its features include the reactivity and functionalization potential of the propargyl moiety, the water solubility and biocompatibility of the PEG chain, and the nucleophilicity and reactivity of the amine moiety.

Applications of Small-Molecule Heterobifunctional PEGs

Surface Modification

Small-molecule heterobifunctional PEG can be used to modify the surface of materials to change their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. One of the functional groups can react with functional groups on the surface to form stable covalent bonds, thus immobilizing the PEG chains on the material surface. The other functional group can introduce specific functional groups, such as bioactive molecules, enzyme substrates, etc., to realize specific material functions.

Tissue Engineering

Small molecule heterobifunctional PEG can be used to construct scaffold materials. One functional group can react with the material matrix or cell surface to achieve stable immobilization of the scaffold. The other functional group can introduce cell-inducing molecules, cell adhesion sequences, etc. to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.

BOC Sciences offers a wide range of heterobifunctional PEG molecule products. If you cannot find a suitable product in our product list, we can also provide customized PEGylation and synthesis services according to your specific needs. If you are interested in our products or have other molecular weight and functional group requirements, please contact us today.

Reference

1. Bloemen, M. et al. Heterobifunctional PEG ligands for bioconjugation reactions on iron oxide nanoparticles. PLoS One. 2014, 9(10): e109475.