PEGlinkers
PEGlinkers, or poly(ethylene glycol) linkers, are polymer chains used as spacers and tethers in bioconjugation, surface modification, and nanoformulations. They are typically linear or branched polymers of repeating ethylene glycol units, terminated with functional groups that enable attachment to biomolecules, drugs, or surfaces. The length (molecular weight) and architecture (linear or multi-arm) can be tailored to adjust spacer distance, flexibility, solubility, and steric properties, as well as to influence pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in therapeutics.
Key properties include high water solubility, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. PEG linkers can reduce nonspecific interactions
End groups and chemistries are diverse. Common functionalities include NHS esters and amines for amide coupling,
Synthesis generally involves polymerizing ethylene oxide and subsequently installing the desired terminal group. PEGlinkers thus provide