Branched PEGs Synthesis

BOC Sciences offers high-quality branched PEGs synthesis services to meet the diverse needs of our clients in various industries. Experienced technicians from BOC Sciences utilize advanced technology and comprehensive equipment to provide cost-effective customized solutions for branched chain PEG. Our branched PEGs are widely used in various industries such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food.

What are Branched PEGs?

Branched PEGs, also known as polyethylene glycols, are an intriguing type of PEG polymer that present a distinctive, highly branched and complex structure, which arises from the presence of multiple branches or arms emanating from a central core. These branches are not solely limited to linear structures; rather, they have the ability to branch themselves, resulting in an even more intricate and sophisticated structure. Synthesizing branched PEGs is not a trivial task, as it requires a series of intricate steps. Specifically, this type of polymer is synthesized by reacting a primary amine-functionalized PEG with a bifunctional crosslinker or a multifunctional initiator, a process that demands an advanced level of expertise and precision. They are commonly used in drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostic applications due to their unique properties such as increased solubility, reduced immunogenicity, and prolonged circulation time in the body.

Fig. 1. Research application of branched PEGs in polyion complexes (Journal of Controlled Release. 2021, 330: 812-820).

Advantages of Branched PEGs

• Increased solubility: Branched PEGs have a more compact and globular structure than linear PEGs that increases their solubility in water and organic solvents.
• Reduced immunogenicity: Branched PEGs have a reduced immunogenicity compared to linear PEGs, which makes them less likely to trigger an immune response when used in biomedical applications.
• Prolonged circulation time: Branched PEGs have a larger hydrodynamic size than linear PEGs, helping to increase their retention time in the bloodstream and reduce their clearance by the kidneys and liver.
• Enhanced stability: Branched PEGs have a higher degree of branching and crosslinking, which increases their stability under harsh conditions such as high temperature, pH, and salt concentration.
• Increased functionality: Branched PEGs can be functionalized with multiple groups at the branching points, which increases their versatility and enables the attachment of various biomolecules, drugs, and imaging agents.

Applications of Branched PEGs

Our Branched PEGs Synthesis Process

Branched PEGs can be synthesized using various methods, including step-growth polymerization, chain-growth polymerization, and click chemistry. For example, here is our general procedure for the synthesis of branched PEG by step-growth polymerization:

• Synthesis of bifunctional PEGs: Bifunctional PEGs with two reactive end groups are synthesized by reacting PEG monomers with a bifunctional linker such as diisocyanate or diacid chloride. This reaction results in PEGs with two reactive end groups that can be used for further polymerization.
• Polymerization: The bifunctional PEGs are polymerized using a crosslinking agent such as a trifunctional linker or a multifunctional monomer. This reaction results in branched PEGs with multiple arms and a central core.
• Purification: The branched PEGs are purified using techniques such as dialysis, column chromatography, or precipitation to remove any unreacted monomers, linkers, or byproducts.
• Characterization: The branched PEGs are characterized using techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS) to determine their molecular weight, degree of branching, and branching architecture.

Our Branched PEGs Synthesis Services

• Custom Synthesis
• Scale-up Synthesis
• Analytical Services
• Quality Control
• Technical Support

Quality Assistance

Our PEG cGMP manufacturing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS). We strictly adhere to cGMP guidelines and regulations to ensure the highest quality and safety of our products. In addition to the custom synthesis of branched PEGs, we also provide Forked PEGs Synthesis, Dendritic PEGs Synthesis and Y-shaped PEGs Synthesis services.

Reference

1. Nagata, T. et al. Structural tuning of oligonucleotides for enhanced blood circulation properties of unit polyion complexes prepared from two-branched poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lysine). Journal of Controlled Release. 2021, 330: 812-820.