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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Poly(ethylene glycol) and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
Published on: October 29, 2013
Synthesis of degradable functional poly(ethylene glycol) analogs as versatile drug delivery carriers
Na Wang1, Anjie Dong, Huadong Tang
1Soft Materials Laboratory and Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA.
Abstract:
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is widely used as a water soluble carrier for polymer-drug conjugates. Herein, we report degradable linear PEG analogs (DPEGs) carrying multifunctional groups. The DPEGs were synthesized by a Michael addition based condensation polymerization of dithiols and PEG diacrylates (PEGDA) or dimethacrylates (PEGDMA). They were stable at pH 7.4 but quickly degraded at pH 6.0 and 5.0. Thus, DPEGs could be used as drug carriers without concern for their retention in the body. DPEGs could be made to carry such functional groups as terminal thiol or (meth)acrylate and pendant hydroxyl groups. The functional groups were used for conjugation of drugs and targeting groups. This new type of PEG analog will be useful for drug delivery and the PEGylation of biomolecules and colloidal particles.
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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...

